Random Drug Testing In Schools: Essex County Readers Speak

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Want to get an interesting – if potentially heated – conversation going in Essex County? Bring up the topic of drug testing in schools.

When Livingston Public School administrators announced that the district may start a random drug testing program for its students in an effort to “keep students safe and drug-free,” dozens of Patch readers shared their opinions on the topic via social media and email.

• See related article: N.J. School District May Start Random Drug Testing For Students

Some of the best replies we saw are included below. Want to share your opinion about drug testing in schools? Send a letter to the editor to eric.kiefer@patch.com with your full name and town of residence, or tell us more in the comments section.

• “If you have nothing to worry about... not an issue. So yes! Also, it would give an indicator for those students who need help.”
• “I for one do not want to pay more money in taxes so we can drug test kids. Not only is this a violation of their rights but it’s also not the school’s business.”
• “I would test everybody including parents. No responsible adult does drugs.”
• “I am a parent, and I absolutely do not support the legalization or pot. Nor do I condone underage drinking. I am simply saying that it is not the role of the public schools to perform random drug testing. If a student is visibly under the influence - then yes, a test is warranted. But random testing? No. Definitely a civil rights violation.”
• “Some of our professions drug screen us, so everyone should be.”
• “They want to do this to the kids. Want to know why? Because kids can’t vote.”
• “About time… need to do staff as well.”
• “Remember that stuff about rights you learned in history class? It means nothing. To make it fair they should take away all citizens’ 4th amendment rights and be testing parents, faculty and staff, the drug testers, the police, doctors, nurses and politicians in the local area.”

Send local news tips and feedback to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo 1: Flickr Commons

Photo 2: extensivelyreviewed.com