UNWARRANTED

Drug use has long been a problem among college students. Several theories have been used, such as random drug testing to lower and prevent drug use. Random drug testing is an unwarranted act that should only happen to college students who have exhibited behavior that would give reason to be suspicious of illegal activity or have evidence that shows possible drug use. If none of these apply than perhaps there are other alternatives.

The random drug testing policy is a policy that allows a random drug test to be given to any college student whether there is a probable cause to do so or not. Allen L. Sack states, Most disturbing is the fact that this policy was approved without even the slightest consultation with the athletes themselves (437). This policy could be used in a different way that would help both satisfy the N.C.A.A. and college students in a better way. College students should only be randomly tested if they have exhibited behavior that would give reason to be suspicious of illegal activity or have left evidence of it. If the policy were done this way, at least there would be a probable reason to test.

James C. Puffer agrees and states that Many argue that while testing is an effective deterrent in the use of certain types of drugs, it nevertheless violates the personal rights of individual athletes as well as presumes guilt (433). Random drug testing may presume guilt, but is this guilt necessary towards the war of drugs? This guilt is necessary towards much more dangerous subjects, such as concealed weapons. Allen L. Sack said that:

Few people oppose the kinds of general searches that are carried out at airports while passengers are preparing to board planes. The fact that it is impossible to tell from the outside whether a person is carrying a weapon and the fact that weapons carried illegally onto a plane could take the lives of hundreds of passengers seem like fairly strong justifications for performing searches without reasonable suspicion of a particular individual (437).

Can drugs take the lives of hundreds of people who don t voluntarily use them? In most cases, no. So why are college students being randomly tested and violated for no probable cause. I ll state again that random drug testing should only occur to college students who have shown a probable reason to be tested.

There are cases where it has been established that drug testing is effective to a certain extent but far from extinguishing it. So why do we test among college students? Is it worth the hassle? We get a mixed answer to this question, but it is a must towards people working with a higher status such as airplane pilots and nuclear operators. I have learned that drug testing is often even used in the work place. I worked at a factory and in order to get hired I had to pass a scheduled drug test, bringing me to my next point.

Scheduled drug testing is a more accepted policy. It gives people a little bit more freedom. They can do it when there are free to do so and it is not as violating as random drug testing tends to be. It doesn t get the job done though and a drug user can escape it. It can be escaped easily. I know a person who had previously used drugs during the time period before a test and was still able to pass the test by using certain tactics. This did not make me happy because I am a drug-free person and I take pride in it. The fact that this drug user comes along and passes a test and is able to get the same opportunities as I am with virtually no hassle at all is not right. So while scheduled drug testing is used, sometimes it won t get the job done. It is naturally more excepted by the people probably for this reason.

So while drug testing is far from extinguishing drug use in college, is it worth using and, if so, should we change the manner in which we use it to make more people a little bit happier? My method may not be as effective, but how effective is drug testing in college anyway? Until better options become available, we will continue to use college drug testing and so we should change the way it is done. My intent is to make more people happy while still guaranteeing some safety in college sports. It can never be fully accomplished anyway.