NJ School District Votes On Middle School Drug Tests (VIDEO)

Many parents worry about their kids doing drugs, but few would go as far as to start random drug tests in the 6th grade.

However, members of the Board of Education in Belvidere, N.J. plan to start doing just that, soon.

The Board votes on a proposal Wednesday night that would plan random drug and alcohol tests for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. The program is optional and requires the consent of both parents and students.

From CBS News:

Elementary School Principal Sandra Szabocsik said school officials want to use the testing "as a deterrent."

"We're hoping that the students if they're at say a party or someone's house or just hanging out somewhere, that they'll say 'I don't want to get involved in drinking or using any drug because tomorrow could be a drug testing day,'" she told CBS 2′s Christine Sloan.

While students could chose to opt out despite parents' wishes, parental pressure is always an issue.

Punishment for testing positive would not be suspension, or even require legal action, however. Instead students would be referred to counseling or rehab facilities, according to CBS News.

A number of students and parents have already said they will sign up for the program, which is expected to pass tonight. There still remains some controversy over the program among parents, as some say the tests send the wrong message.

WATCH:

Comments

[olddognewtrick]

01:21 PM on 01/17/2011

A couple of years ago, I would have thought that having metal detectors in middle schools was a joke...Joke's on us...

[smp501]

01:25 PM on 01/15/2011

Notice here how the same people who protest the TSA procedures support this.

[SeptimusDSX]

10:01 AM on 01/15/2011

Random pat-downs next? This is just stupid. Why are the parents not protesting?

[usorthem3]

06:48 AM on 01/15/2011

I guess this proves that some parents don't have good trust and communication with their own children. Why stop with drug tests, all middle school kids should be made to wear chastity belts as well.

[Cathleen5]

11:09 PM on 01/14/2011

public school education system, a new drug-testing format? Amendment to protect school children of 4 This program is really a risk. Random testing of students and their parents have refused to be a part of the system administrators will be subject to increased inspection? Mandatory drug testing of students failed a drug to satisfy the advice?

http://www.farkjoo.com/blog.php?user=Mohammad&blogentry_id=20119

[Marcus Framke]

11:41 AM on 01/14/2011

I do think middle schools should do random drug test. an the idea of the student not getting in trouble but just going threw counseling and rehab is good. Because if the school did suspend the student or report him/her to the authorities, they wouldn't be helped with their problem an would continue doing the drugs. It would keep the students out of trouble an going down a path that will lead to jail, death, or even gangs

[IsabellaGCaruso]

11:28 AM on 01/14/2011

Kids are starting to do drugs at an earlier age, but this is taking it a little too far. I believe that this is a huge waste of money. The schools are starting to get a little too involved in the students personal, social, and private lives. And it is a little hard for them to handle. All the kids need to do is go to school and feel safe, but when the schools are getting involved with their health and their bodies, it's a little over the top.

[brodog84]

10:24 AM on 01/14/2011

Many public schools are day-term prisons. This one would rather demonstrate to students that they have no right to due process, that a person's body belongs to him only part of the time, and that authorities can do what they want for no reason. It's morning in America.

[parlimentMike]

04:52 PM on 01/13/2011

I remember when the civics lessons in Middle School were about freedom and rights in America.

[Ed Baker]

02:58 PM on 01/13/2011

I'm wondering who on the school board is related to the firm that will do the testing.

What a waste of money. It's also a horrible practice, and violates not only principals of good parenting, but also the 4th amendment.

[phree]

05:45 PM on 01/13/2011

Now we teach the kids to be good little prisoners. I would never allow my kid to be tested. This teaches slavery and subordination to corporate interests. Those parents who allow their kids to be tested are already good slaves. Now they breed more expendable citizens for the government. The Pentagon will be happy to make cannon fodder of them in Middle East too. What a machine.

[J0E1]

01:44 PM on 01/13/2011

This is good practice for the real world.  If these kids get through middle school, they will be well versed in ways to cheat drug testing in the workplace too!

[JStading]

02:34 PM on 01/13/2011

The Whizzinator is a modern wonder.

[Ed Baker]

02:59 PM on 01/13/2011

Financial firms stopped doing drug testing - at least random drug testing - most make you sign a waiver - and if they suspect - they will test you....

I asked one friend of mine who owns a bank and he said they stopped doing it because in 19 years they hadn't caught one person.

[J0E1]

01:41 PM on 01/13/2011

"The program is optional and requires the consent of both parents and students"
 
Sounds like a flawless plan to me.  I assume all the drug addict students will opt in right?

[Ghoulish]

01:36 PM on 01/13/2011

There was "random" drug testing at the school where I used to teach. I was amused every six weeks when the top five students from first period were "randomly" selected to participate. None of them ever tested positive.

[JStading]

09:57 PM on 01/13/2011

That would have been a problem at my high school - all three valedictorians (multiple valedictorians - a byproduct of hypersensitivity and nonsensical policy, but a topic for another day) were all well known pot smokers.

[CommonTator]

01:36 PM on 01/13/2011

Conditioning our children to accept being treated like criminals is a more important priority in our nation than teaching them the arts and sciences.

"Homeland Security" jobs are the fastest growing in the nation, so I've read.

We don't need future resistors fudging up the future of the economic recovery.

[Ed Baker]

02:59 PM on 01/13/2011

I'm with you- it's quite sickening really.

[roguescr1be]

11:12 AM on 01/13/2011

So...let's cut art, music, nutritious lunches, and teachers and spend millions on...

DRUG TESTING? 6th grades? Really?

How much do you want to bet these drug testing labs will show up on the N.J. campaign contributiions...

[Ed Baker]

03:00 PM on 01/13/2011

That was my very first thought.