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My name is Eryll and welcome to my blog.

In My Opinion  

Posted by eryLL

"DO YOU AGREE THAT DRUG TESTING SHOULD BE DONE AS A REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION TO SCHOOLS?"

For me, drug testing should not be a requirement in a college or university. Why? Basically because they entered the university to be a student, to learn and to be educated. So what if they are drug users? What about those students who are addicted to smoking and alcohol?

For me, these are the same as drug addiction. The only main difference is that cigarettes and alcohols are legal for 18 year old and above, and drugs are illegal and prohibited. They are all addictive and have their own respective bad effects to our body.


Drugs affects our whole system. They affect a person mentally and emotionally. But it does not mean that anyone has the right to deny them the education that they need. In my opinion, a drug test is not necessary for a school admission. As long as, the student is capable and deserves to learn, there is no problem.

As a person enters college, he puts himself to a situation that he chooses to prioritize his education. Nobody is a fool to hit marijuana and runs to class afterwards. People who are in drugs knows what could happen after their session. They are aware what drugs could do to them.


Most students who are drunk do not usually attend their classes afterwards. More so if they are drug users, right? Drug testing is more significant in applying for a driver's license or a government license. I just realized now that most car accidents are due to drunk drivers, only few maybe caused by drug users. Only drug testing is a requirement for a driver's license but not alcohol testing. Drug users do not readily admit to the addiction. Some may deny it, some may appear to even flaunt it like it is an ordinary thing.

But for a college, na-a! For me, it is way too much. It is based whether you passed or not. It relies on whether you have the capability to learn and to finish your studies - as long as you passed and finished all the educational requirements.

What if the drugs interfere with his education? It is the obligation of the student himself whether he wants to continue or not; or to stop using drugs and pursue his studies instead. It is his own personal choice. For me, the best thing a school can do is to educate each student about the bad effects of drugs; to reach out to every student and let them learn something that may be out of the context of the lesson, but may be beneficial to their personal lives. Don't let their using drugs an issue and become a hindrance to their education.


The fear of being influenced by a drug-user classmate is quite absurd. Why? because people have their own minds. It depends upon them whether they will be persuaded or not. And on the fact that there are even more people outside the school who can influence you to use drugs. Primarily, it is on the person's choice, will and knowledge. It's the student's choice, to accept or to reject.

What is the significance of requiring a drug testing for school admission if taking drugs after the admission is not being strictly governed? Requiring students to undergo drug testing in order to be admitted is not a good preventive measure to limit or lessen the use of illegal drugs. There are more ways to stop drugs. There are more appropriate reasons for drug testing to be enforced in other places. There are more drug users outside the university to whom you can be exposed to. Proper awareness. Proper education. Proper living.

The right persons to stop them from using drugs are their parents. And the best person to stop them from the act are THEMSELVES.

My opinion is mine. I am not a drug user. I am not an advocate of illegal drugs. I just believe that every human being has the right to education. Whoever you are. Whatever you have. Don't easily judge a person by his action. If there is a stimulus there is a response. People do change. People are capable to be better. Don' t force your way, let it be free.

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13 comments

A very interesting argument, and I'm glad to see someone taking the unpopular side of it.

While I agree with you that everyone SHOULD be entitled to an education, what about when you have two qualified candidates for admission to ONE open slot in the university program - and one uses illegal drugs while the other does not?

To me, it seems that the willingness to commit a CRIME goes to one's potential as a productive citizen worth investing in as a taxpayer. (Here in the U.S., at any rate, tuition only covers a portion of the costs of education - for most students. So taxpayers are investing in their own future, as well as that of the students.)

If you make the argument that it's about the safety of others and the safety of the school environment, then there's a big difference between marijuana and something like PCP. But both are illegal in most jurisdictions.

Here in the U.S., alcohol is not legal until age 21. Cigarettes are legal at 18, but they are merely annoying to others and a hazard to one's health - they don't impair judgment or reaction time. They could endanger others, though - say, in a dorm room late at night, after cramming for that big mid-term exam, a student falls asleep with a lit cigarette in hand.

I'm a big proponent of privacy rights, so I struggle with this, too. I'm not in favor of regulating what peole do in their own homes, so long as it affects no one else. But in this case, can it really be said that abusing illegal (or even, in some cases, legal) drugs doesn't hurt others?

*holly - thanks for the very long comment. haha. on your first question (regarding ONE open slot) - basically, it is on the university itself whether who they are choosing, it depends who deserves more, who can excels more and who have the guts to enter the university. The one who uses drugs does not automatically be removed from the list only because of drugs. If as person really wanted to go to school, he pursue it, he adjust to it, and he accept rules. it doesnt mean he is on drugs he can not comply with his studies.

with regards with your second question (...drugs doesnt hurt others?) it can not be prevented at all. because drugs alters the way you think. that is why I DONT ADVOCATE ILLEGAL DRUGS. i only think they also deserve to be at school. on the next thought, what is they use drugs inside the campus/university and be forceful, the role of the security and order comes in -- to check every student that enters the campus and observe any unfavorable act. lastly, nobody wants to be hurt, so self-awareness is indeed necessary at all times whether exposed to drug-users or not, because others who are not in to drugs also have the tendency to hurt you.

Hi Eryll,

I see your point too, but I'll not comment further until all your classmates have submitted.

Way to go!

Thanks Holly, for reading their posts. It's good for them to have your views and ideas. It helps them a lot.

Eryll, I'm glad you're not advocating drug use; I really didn't think you were. And I give you points for not taking the "easy argument" (the "teacher pleaser" argument). I had to give a speech, once, in college - a persuasive speech. Our instructor told us not to pick something too easy - something everyone was likely to agree with. Me? I went and gave a speech in favor of nuclear energy. Our instructor was very anti-nuclear, as were most of my classmates. What I didn't know was that an anti-nuclear rally had been planned for the campus that day, and was being held a stone's throw from the classroom.

Guess what grade I got?

Jen, I enjoy reading what the CC Bloggers have to say. I've learned a thing or two, as well!

uhhm. i think you passed..? haha.

I didn't just "pass." I earned an A. I didn't change my instructor's mind, but I did enough research and presented enough facts to make him think twice and consider aspects of the argument he never thought of before. I did sway about half my classmates. And survived the walk back out to my car. (The rally was over by the time class let out. ;)

hahaha. good story. congratulations. i think you deserved it because you presented the case well enough to make every person on the class to realize some facts; importantly because you take risks.

Life's not nearly so interesting without taking a FEW risks, along the way. Just think, man would never have set foot on the moon, without a willingness to take some pretty big, personal risks. (Of course we wouldn't have a ring of space junk floating around the planet, now, either, threatening to fall down on our heads at any moment...)

It's also important to be able to SEE (and maybe even argue persuasively) all sides of an argument. You can't argue effectively if you don't have some degree of empathy that allows you to anticipate and counter the objections, preferably without completely alienating the other side. If you can present your argument in such a way that everyone "wins," or at least preserves that which is most important to them, that's the ideal outcome.

So, of course drug users can turn over a new leaf, and maybe getting a second chance - and a good education - will enable them to stay clean and contribute something meaningful to society (which appeals to society's interests). And provided there are rules governing behavior - rules that are strictly enforced when it comes to the safety of all students - you could allay the fears of parents. (Most of whom just don't want their kids, who may be having their first real "fling" of independence, having easy access to drugs and getting hurt through experimentation.)

Did you go to the BBQ, Eryll? If so, how was it? I'm waiting to hear all about it! Wish I could've been there, but it's a LONG plane trip and it's not in my budget right now ;)

This is an example of an intellectual discussion where no name calling and no hits below the belt were done.

I commend Eryll for making a good arguement and for taking the risk in taking the unpopular side.

Holly, I would have joined you in that class, say, I'll second the motion. he he he. I used to give the unpopular answers to essays back in high school. I had a teacher that not only encourage discussions, she also advocates open mindedness. Yikes, I think these are in the boundaries of commonsense. Something that is being lacked in a lot of places. LOL

Jena, this is a very interesting assignment. I just hope to read more personal stuff. I mean, related to Chemistry. ;)

Z

Holly and Doc Z,

With you around the knowledge that they gain would be much more richer. Because you speak from observation and experience. Thanks for the support and the significant comments.

Eryll, Kudos to you.

I mean: "... knowledge that they gain would be richer..."