Parenting Today: Should Random Drug Testing of Students Be Allowed?

When it comes to drugs and drug testing it’s no wonder kids are so lost at sea — when parents have to worry about VIOLATING THEIR KIDS PRIVACY INSTEAD OF TESTING THEM TO SEE IF THEY’RE TAKING DRUGS — HAS EVERYONE GONE MAD??

Children are minors by legal definition, and they are the legal responsibility of their parents. Okay, forget the legal thing - let’s talk morality. If you have children, you are responsible for their well being to the best of your ability, and if you don’t have the ability, you need to ask for help.

If your child has a drug problem, you sure as hell better do everything in your power to take care of their health, and that includes drug testing to keep them safe. Anyone who puts their kid’s “privacy” ahead of their kid’s health should not be parenting.

Kids deserve a safe home and a safe life. If your child has a health problem that includes drugs, alcohol or some other substance abuse issue, parents and the community, in that order, need to do whatever they can to help.

Regarding parents drug testing their kids:

Will it anger kids? You betcha.

Will it create a strain on families? You betcha.

Will it alienate kids from families? No more than they already are if they’re taking drugs — in fact, it may reverse some alienation.

Does responsible parenting sometimes anger kids? You bet!

Does responsible parenting strain families sometimes? You better believe it.

Does responsible parenting alienate kids from families? No. But keep in mind, parenting is not about winning a popularity contest, and if parents are looking to their kids for approval and to be liked, they need to get some friends their own age.