Drug Testing: Can you be too young?

High school athletes, college athletes, professional athletes and olympians are all a part of the group that is subjected to required random drug testing. This comes as no surprise, seeing as these athletes have easier access to drugs and illegal substances that can affect their performance. However, a new population may soon be added to the mix. That population being middle school students. Why? As of late, there has been an increased concern about the influences that middle school students are exposed to inside and outside of school.

In several states across the U.S., administrators at the middle school level are considering whether to implement random drug tests to their students. In an Ohio middle school, they have already required these tests to all students wanting to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities. Their reasoning being their concern about students access and growing influence to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately the ability and affordability to access drugs and alcohol is becoming easier. It is easy for kids to conceal substances, to communicate via internet and text about distributing, and it's becoming more affordable.

While it may seem drastic to implement such strict policies on young students, administrators believe the pros outweigh the cons. The drug tests act as an incentive for students to avoid experimentation and resist influences. Testing can also help solve the problem early. For example, by the parents and administrators knowing about the abuse earlier, they can address it and hopefully discontinue the use. However, there are some parents and students that find drug testing at this age inappropriate and a violation of our human rights. Students find the testing embarrassing in the school setting and believe it shouldn't be required at that age.

Although the opinion on whether or not drug testing at the middle school level should be allowed or not is still up in the air, it is safe to say to say administrators are willing to go to any measure to prevent students from experimenting. These extreme measures demonstrate the importance avoiding experimentation and addressing influences at the middle school age.

ABC News Story on Ohio Middle School Drug Testing