Monday morning alcohol testing at schools...
blackredyellow
Posts: 5,889
N.J. school to test for weekend drinking
1 hour, 5 minutes ago
Teens who drink alcohol could be caught three days later under a high school's new testing policy for students.
The test, which will be given randomly to students at Pequannock Township High School, can detect whether alcohol was consumed up to 80 hours earlier.
Pequannock Superintendent Larrie Reynolds said the policy approved last week should be a deterrent to students who feel peer pressure to drink.
Under the program, students who test positive will not be kicked off teams or barred from extracurricular activities, Reynolds said. Instead, they will receive counseling — and their parents will be notified.
"Most kids who think they can get away with it might be tempted to stop and think about it," he said.
The test costs will be paid with federal grants, Reynolds said.
Urine screenings look for ethyl glucuronide, produced by the body after it metabolizes alcohol. School officials acknowledge the test is sensitive, and false positive readings can be the result of using products containing ethanol, including mouthwash and Balsamic vinegar.
But Reynolds said in order for students to test positive, they would generally have had to consume the equivalent of one or two drinks.
Other districts already use the test. Middletown began using it last spring for students suspected of using drugs and alcohol. This month, the district expanded it to include a random pool of about 1,800 students.
Critics have said the testing does not work and invades students' privacy.
"Medical care and treatment are issues between parents and children," said Deborah Jacobs, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070130/ap_on_re_us/teen_drinking_1
A couple thoughts on this...
1) What business is if of the school if someone gets drunk at a party on friday night?
2) Doesn't this take responsibility out of the parents hands? When I was in high school I drank a decent amount, and I'm sure that my parents knew it... But they were open about talking about it and the dangers and responsibility involved. Did I do stupid things, absolutely, but to this day I still remember my dad saying that if you don't want to drink, don't, and there is no shame in throwing a shot over your shoulder instead of drinking it
While some nights I drank way more than I should have, thanks in part to my parents, I never felt pressure or forced to drink.
1 hour, 5 minutes ago
Teens who drink alcohol could be caught three days later under a high school's new testing policy for students.
The test, which will be given randomly to students at Pequannock Township High School, can detect whether alcohol was consumed up to 80 hours earlier.
Pequannock Superintendent Larrie Reynolds said the policy approved last week should be a deterrent to students who feel peer pressure to drink.
Under the program, students who test positive will not be kicked off teams or barred from extracurricular activities, Reynolds said. Instead, they will receive counseling — and their parents will be notified.
"Most kids who think they can get away with it might be tempted to stop and think about it," he said.
The test costs will be paid with federal grants, Reynolds said.
Urine screenings look for ethyl glucuronide, produced by the body after it metabolizes alcohol. School officials acknowledge the test is sensitive, and false positive readings can be the result of using products containing ethanol, including mouthwash and Balsamic vinegar.
But Reynolds said in order for students to test positive, they would generally have had to consume the equivalent of one or two drinks.
Other districts already use the test. Middletown began using it last spring for students suspected of using drugs and alcohol. This month, the district expanded it to include a random pool of about 1,800 students.
Critics have said the testing does not work and invades students' privacy.
"Medical care and treatment are issues between parents and children," said Deborah Jacobs, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070130/ap_on_re_us/teen_drinking_1
A couple thoughts on this...
1) What business is if of the school if someone gets drunk at a party on friday night?
2) Doesn't this take responsibility out of the parents hands? When I was in high school I drank a decent amount, and I'm sure that my parents knew it... But they were open about talking about it and the dangers and responsibility involved. Did I do stupid things, absolutely, but to this day I still remember my dad saying that if you don't want to drink, don't, and there is no shame in throwing a shot over your shoulder instead of drinking it
While some nights I drank way more than I should have, thanks in part to my parents, I never felt pressure or forced to drink. My whole life
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
2) Same here. My folks said that if I was home on time and not in jail it was cool.
This is the job of a parent.
Mihi cura futuri.
The elements they speak to me.
http://espn.go.com/espnradiostations/NewYork1050/gallery/35218855.html
so cute they are
I agree this takes a lot away from parents; but just look at everything the parents want to give up. They want the schools to educate, discipline, sometimes practically rear their children. I hope this serves as a wake up call to some parents to begin parenting or else it may go to other schools (at least the school systems that can afford $25 to test each kid each time for drinking).
well not since it's not illegal for teachers to drink you'd have a harder time selling that one.
The way they are doing it though sounds pretty effective really. Still, it has that big brother feel to it I hated about HS, I wonder if they have a few more "truants" on mondays because of it.
Given the fact that parenting has become a thing of the past... I can't really blame the schools for taking this type of thing up. Too bad letting them know is going to result in the "parent" coming to school and bitching at teachers about their little "perfect angel" who the school has ruined thier life and self esteem because they got caught drinking or they got an "F" in a class and got kicked off the football team.
Stupid parents. Breeding is far to easy.
naděje umírá poslední
i'm sure they do.
I thought the school systems were already complaining that it stretched their resources to "raise" children like society expects them to. Now they want to pick and choose how to be a surrogate parent.
Evil.
But im dead against this...its your free time do what you want.
That's a good question. I wonder if their justification is that it may be unreasonable search but since there is no criminal charge or processing that will occur, the ramifications of the search and seizure aren't great. I mean the evidence can't be introduced under the 4th amendment, but big deal they aren't introducing evidence in court. You work in a law firm...ask one of the lawyers
The only difference I see here is that they appear to be testing all students, not just athletes and extra-curricular participants.
As for my opinion - its wrong.
I can see the drug testing for the athletes and extra-curricular participants, just b/c they are volunteering to be part of the school in an additional way so if they choose to participate you choose to abide by the rules. I don't think it's a good idea to test everyone randomly.
I think drug testing students is stupid and wrong too, not just alcohol testing (which is a hard drug by the way).
Testing athletes for drugs is something different, imo.
naděje umírá poslední
That is what scares me about our future... I am 32, and unless I was just naive, I don't think that parenting were as bad in general then as it seems now (granted there are some great parents out there, and maybe the bad ones just get all of the attention). The big question for me, is what type of parents are the kids that were raised by bad parents going to turn out to be?
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Apparently you are unaware that the government can raise you better than your parents.
"What I lack in decorum, I make up for with an absence of tact."
Camden 5-28-06
Washington, D.C. 6-22-08
that is a good question. If we have a generation reared by poor examples; I'm scared of where they will end up too. I hope that people realize it's a big decision to have kids and it's a big responsibility to have kids. I hear a few kids now and then say "i want a babby (tribute to psychos)" b/c it would be fun. Maybe we do need an application to have kids
I do know what it would mean if I were on the Supreme Court ... it would mean that your right to be secure in your person and effects SHALL NOT BE VIOLATED without probable cause .... period.
Yeah c'mon soulsinging, as long as you wont bill us, what's your take?
fair enough.
we're still on the commerce clause. 4th amendment comes later. ill get back to you
im just happy this is being paid for with federal funds. if the city wants to do this, they can charge their citizens for it.
Wouldnt young people who are using drugs/alcohol or at risk benefit from the extra participation outside of classes? I would hope that participating in these activities would help ween people away from drugs & alcohol. Forcing them to be tested for drugs just drives them away from participating at all. I am not sure that I see that as a solution.
I meant athletes who participate in competitions.
naděje umírá poslední
If Johnny wrecks his car driving drunk that's his problem. It's possible to drink responsibly you know.
http://www.wishlistfoundation.org
Oh my, they dropped the leash.
Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood 08' for President!
"Make our day"
Ever hear of steroids?
R.i.p. My Dad - May 28, 2007
R.i.p. Black Tail (cat) - Sept. 20, 2008
I might be wrong, but didn't the Supreme Court already say random locker searches are not against the Consitution?? I don't see this really being any different from a legal sense.