4 kids tested positive for cocaine use and were expelled. The parents are suing because they say the testing is biased against blacks because there are more false positives associated with coarse black hair than blonde hair. I looked it up and there are plenty of articles that back up the claim. But looking deeper it’s because black coarse hair offers more results than blonde hair, so there are going to be more false positives, naturally.
A reader in the comments offered this interesting opinion and analogy-
Is the high school doing random drug tests? I think I would have a problem with that.
If you have to chemically test for drug use, then using the drug is not the problem – testing positive is the problem.
Follow me, here.
The purported reason that drugs are bad is that they make you act foolish, or dangerously, or stupid. If you’re NOT acting foolish, or dangerously, or stupid – then what’s the fucking problem?
If a student is acting foolishly, or endangering itself and others, or is being stupid, then – of course – check for drug (and alcohol) use. If the student is going about its business as usual, studying, and participating in class, and whatnot, THEN there’s NO problem UNLESS the drug NaZis make one.
Random drug tests are a search for criminality where there is no obvious, objective evidence.
Uh, from my days as a prosecutor, you only get the metabolite of the drug if you’ve taken the drug–the tests are generally for the first metabolic product to ensure it’s not confused with something else. Sounds like someone’s trying to blow smoke up our asses again.
Don’t use logic on these people, it fries their circuitry.
And for the record, many times that first metabolic product is equally psychoactive.
I was required to pass a drug test in order to be hired for the job I do. I had to sign a paper acknowledging I could be tested at any time for any reason to remain employed.
Why should it be any different for students, welfare recipients, etc.?
In 1969…7th grade gym class….The teacher was Del Tolin, who served in Korea and was a one time Olympic gymnast candidate, still wore a crew cut, took no nonsense….there were numbers along side the basketball court and you were assigned one…if it wasn’t covered up when he came by, then you were absent….Delford Simpson was jackin’ around and missed covering up his number….he confronted Del and Del told him that he wasn’t here….Delford responded “Mr. Tolin…you just don’t like us niggahs’ cuz we black”….12 year old little man saying that to a Korean war vet….we haven’t come very far in near 50 years and I don’t believe the race mongers ( white and black and yet to be determined?…) care that we ever do….enough…fix yourself…
By your thought processes, why should policemen, firemen, and air plane drivers be subjected to random drug tests; absent a pattern of behavior suggesting drug/alcohol use.
Perhaps those citizens are “second class.” Perhaps they are not “citizens” at all, but merely indentured servants, i.e. property.
No one should be subjected to random drug tests. If the drugs don’t affect performance, then why do they need a test?
Why do they allow cops to use drugs, and sell drugs, to combat drug use? Kinda fucked up.
My position is that I don’t think the Department of Education (or other similar education bureaucracy) is qualified to administer and enforce drug testing. Look at what a good job they are doing with education.
You surrendered your 4th Amendment rights, so everyone else should, too?