Over the years it has been widely debated whether or not drug testing should be mandatory in high schools. Although it could benefit some students I believe it would be a waste of time or resources. Drug testing is an inefficient use of the school’s budget, is an invasion of privacy, and overall a waste of student’s time.

High school sophomore Kristi Preston says, “School drug testing would cost a ton of money and schools need to improve other areas before worrying about that.”

Enforcing mandatory drug testing for thousands of students does not come for free. The school would need to cough up money it does not have in order to do this. It would be wiser if high schools focused their budget on things that are needed, such as sports equipment, healthier lunches, or classroom supplies.

Drug testing is not only too expensive for schools, but it is a violation of student rights as well. Students are not obligated to comply to anything unless under reasonable suspicion. When the testing is schoolwide it rules that out and is still a major invasion of privacy.

Drug testing would also be a massive waste of student’s time. A high schooler should not be worried about being berated with this when they have other priorities to worry about. Their focus should be on academics or extracurricular activities.

Schools should not have mandatory drug testing because it is a large money pit for the schools, it is invasive of students, and wastes everyone’s time. Rather than having these tests districts should focus on improving other areas of school.