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Thursday, February 8, 2007

Should Schools Randomly Test Kids for Alcohol Use?

Posted by Ron Soussa at 11:52 PM

The Daily Record recently mentioned that the Pequannock school district recently approved a policy to randomly test students for alcohol. The plan is to randomly test on Mondays to find out if students were drinking over the weekend.

I know it smacks of Big Brother, but I believe many parents won't mind a little bit of extra help in monitoring not only their own kids but also those they may get a ride with. Discuss....

15 Comments | Post a comment

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15 Comments:

Are the Teachers and Staff going to be subjected to the same testing too?

Posted by Anonymous on February 9, 2007 9:11 AM

Regarding the previous comment on are the teachers going to be subjected to the drug testing as well? I would hope that school's have a way of knowing if any teachers are high on drugs. If they don't than they should definitely have a program for that as well.

Posted by Anonymous on February 9, 2007 10:32 AM

The Main Point to Remember:

The LEGAL Drinking Age IS 21 !

Maybe this would curtail underage drinking a bit AND give parents another reason to WATCH their children!

Posted by Anonymous on February 9, 2007 10:47 AM

Parents should be watching there Children.. not the Goverment/State/School.. unless we want communism

Posted by Anonymous on February 9, 2007 10:33 PM

Of course parents should be watching their children, but a little help wouldn't hurt.

As long as parents have the right to "opt out" I think it's a great idea.

Posted by Ron Soussa on February 10, 2007 2:18 PM

Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world. Some of you parents out there are in the dark. (no offense to the competent parents). No kidding, parents should be watching their children, but there are quite a few that don't, therefore this is why it has become a public issue.

Posted by Anonymous on February 11, 2007 8:05 AM

Ron,
I'm a parent of 5, 2 of which are in high school.
I think and hope that I have taught them well and repeatedly warn them of the dangers of distractions while driving. I make them read every article about the teen crashes.

If a student exhibits behavior deserving of such testing, by all means, test away. But while the idea of testing all kids on Monday may be a well intentioned attempt to protect them, I'm more concerned with the prospect of a government entity testing students without cause or suspicion, for behavior that occurs outside their jurisdiction.
Having the school district test for behavior that your family does in it's own home, on it's own time is, in my opinion, way outside the bounds of providing a sound education.

Posted by Scott Ireland on February 11, 2007 12:46 PM

Hi Scott,

Thanks for writing. Given your first hand knowledge your opinion is particularly valuable.

I'm concerned about government meddling with privacy and parental rights too, which is why I think the ability to "opt out" or maybe "opt in" is important.

I also agree that testing is beyond the bounds of providing an education.

But the far-too-frequent tragic incidents lead me to believe that we need to once again ask our schools and teachers (and be grateful that some are willing) to go beyond what we expected them to provide when we were students.

In my opinion anything that might prevent or reduce the frequency of these tragedies deserves exploration.

Posted by Ron Soussa on February 11, 2007 3:18 PM

The LEGAL AGE IS 21

Not only should PARENTS be WATCHING their children BUT TEACHING Morals, RIGHT FROM WRONG, and OBEYING the LAWS. Let them know (and experience if they must) that when they choose to "Step over that line", they have to "pay the consquences!"

Maybe having the schools involved will help not only keep the students checked, but get the attention of the parents!

Posted by Anonymous on February 12, 2007 4:24 PM

and I suppose you'll want the taxpayers to pay for the testing too?

Posted by Anonymous on February 12, 2007 9:04 PM

You are putting the almighty dollar ahead of children's safety. I know some liberals but you are in a class of your own.

Posted by Anonymous on February 13, 2007 7:44 AM

I am shocked that someone has posted the almighty dollar regarding testing the kids. First of all that person is in a class by themselves. Secondly, it is true that to many parent's do not watch their children. It is very sad but it is sadder for those of us that do and on that note I am not against testing. I only hope that the appropriate follow thru after testing is done would be taken. If parent's do not know their kids are high on something what makes us think when they are notified about a positive test at the High School is going to change the way they think or should I say Lack of thought they have.

Posted by Anonymous on February 14, 2007 2:41 AM

anonymous 7:44 am. Just for the record putting Dollars ahead of childen is not a Liberal idea, it is a conservative idea. The whole point of being a conservative is to put money first over all common good.

Posted by Anonymous on February 26, 2007 12:41 PM

Montville has a very real problem with teen drinking!
Many times in the past couple of years I have seen gatherings at a home near mine with teens who were most definitely drinking - they were loud, urinating in the bushes/driveways/roadway and some were even vomiting.
WHERE ARE THE PARENTS? Not only at this particular home (the parents were out and had no clue their "darling" was having a party) but also all these other teens?
I ALWAYS KNEW WHERE MY CHILDREN WERE. I kept track and they were raised with DISCIPLINE and PUNISHMENTS when warranted!
They are all SUCCESSFUL young adults with wonderful and happy lives now!
I, for one, never hesitated to call the authorities when I saw this happening!
Hope everyone does too!

Posted by Anonymous on March 22, 2007 4:11 PM