I found the comments by a student in the Tamaqua Area School District and her father regarding the drug testing policy rather surprising. On one hand to support it as trying to shed light on drug use before it becomes a problem, but then to oppose it by stating it should be a free choice. This makes little sense. How many people using drugs would choose to get tested?

Let’s examine this testing outside of school and extracurricular activities.

Pre-employment drug testing is frequently required. No test means no job. In some cases, it can mean no interview, if the testing is required beforehand and used to reduce the number interviewed. One’s ability and skill set won’t matter.

People routinely sign hiring agreements that include a random drug testing policy. Some even include requirements for random alcohol testing.

Policies about random drug and alcohol testing are found in a range of jobs from data entry, sales and construction to health care, all security/safety roles and computer programming, just to name a few.

If one questions these policies, refuses to sign a hiring agreement that includes these policies, or states this is my choice, you can’t make me do this, then that individual will find it very difficult, if not impossible, to find a job.

If the purpose of a school is to prepare students to become young adults who are ready to face the real world, to be successful, and to make their own decisions, then they must learn about making informed decisions. That is, knowing how decisions can influence one’s life and livelihood. They must also learn that they will face such policies when they try to enter the workforce.

JoAnn Paslawsky

Tamaqua