should there be mandatory drug testing for all teens?
486688
If you mean for there to be a national law requiring drug testing for all teens, the law would have to undergo a series of tests by the Supreme Court to determine whether or not the regulation served a compelling Government interest, whether it was reasonable, and whether or not it violated any rights to privacy.\n\nPersonally, I do not think the nation would ever elect to drug test all teens. There is definitely a problem with teens using drugs, but it isn't to the point where a MAJORITY of teens are using drugs. Plus, there seems to be enough regulation for drug testing if these teens want to, say, apply for a job or join the armed forces. \n\nLet's entertain the idea, just for fun, that the government posed a mandatory drug test for all teens. What would the nation do with all the teens who tested positive for drugs? I can tell you right now that there would be far more teens than we have the government and judicial resources for.
556792
if there would be a child in a public school who would take drugs, steal, etc. etc. all after hours, the principal would have the full authority and right to expel this child from school, being that what is done after hours can have and does have an effect on the friends of this child in school. now being that in this private school there are certain standards, they don't want other kids to be influenced by such behaviour, and therefore although i'm not comparing what this girl is doing to drugs, however the concept is the same.
1031548
Yes, it will put you off drugs for life! All kids should be made to watch it at 16, make them think
461660
Right you are, it should be...  How many potheads are violent?  Beat their wives and kids?  Get in vehicles, go driving and kill themselves or innocent people?  Why?  They are too lazy.  They might not be too motivated but, what harm does it do?  To keep the lazy ones from collecting unemployment or other government benifits, they should drug test (randomly), although this is costly, it's at least a detturant.  I don't know though becasue we support all the drunks????  Fact is, there is a lot more our contry has to worry about then someone getting high.  (i.e. alcohol and tabacco)
633232
they severely limit a teens ability to socialize and blow off steam after high school and without that downtime then stress builds tension rises fights break out more often kids get more rebellious drugs rise(used to calm down that and at my school too many kids do pot,crack, whatever)\n\nits just not a good idea unless the curfew is for say a really late time like "no hanging out at friends houses or parties after midnight or 1 am" not 10 :00\n\nits just unreasonable what with studying and homework or stupid projects
232278
Yes.  In a supposed free country we have very little freedom.  It's time for the government to stop acting like strict parents and let adults make adult decisions.  As long as no one else is hurt, why not?  People have ready access to it anyway.  Why not tax it so our country can benefit from it.
232964
YES. I think that birth control should be mandatory for females AND MALES from puberty on. And if a couple wants children, they should have to APPLY FOR A LICENSE.
253883
Total drug testing would be unrealistic... random drug testing could be a deterrent.  But all extra curricular activities should have testing since these are choices students make.  Steriod testing should be included for all athletes.
163966
no!!!\nIt is up to the parents to decide wether something is apropriate for their child to watch.\nSome people might say that the parents can't always be around....well then they should teach their kid to obey the rules....AND.....CHANNEL BLOCK.\nBut most of it should be allowed anyway. Parents should trust their teenagers to make the right decisions.
790491
i think so. if the minor understood what they were doing and knew what the outcome would be then yes they should be tried as adults.  there areway to many young people out killing each other and know they can get away with it, because they will go to juvie and be out when they are 18.  i say lock them up with the adults so they can truly learn a lesson.
194359
Yes, there absolutely should be. There should also be one for drug convictions. After all, most of the heinous crimes committed lately against children were by people abusing drugs. Some were registered sex offenders and some were not. Joseph P. Smith, a cocaine abuser, was sentenced to death yesterday in Florida for murdering Carlie Brucia. He said he had used heroine and cocaine prior to abducting, sexually assaulting and killing her. He was not a registered sex offender. All of his past (24) convictions were for drugs.\n\nThe sad thing is that drunk drivers and drug abusers have a MUCH higher recidivism rate than sex offenders! So why are we wasting our tax dollars on the wrong people??? \n\nPlease read the U.S. Dept of Justice report that was issued in 2003. It gives you these rates. It blew my mind away. If we want to issue cruel and unusual punishment it MUST be to all criminals, not just one class.\n\nThank You for this great question.\n\nP.S. To the young man who states he is 17 and just got a DUI. You were lucky. It could very well have been consensual sex with your girlfriend while you were drinking and then she cried rape or her parents found out and pressed charges on you. You just really don't know how lucky you are. Many 17 year olds are on the sex offender registries. Check FL, OK, KA, WI, IN, IL and DE to name a few. See how many young people are listed on there for statutory rape among other things that really mean consensual sex. Check ID's of girls BEFORE you get near them. Also check the moral outrage link I have provided so you will know how to protect yourself. There is a link on the home page to the AOC (age of consent) for each state.
781437
I think so, for a couple of reasons.  \n\n1) Teen drug use is lower in countries like Amsterdam, which have legalized it. \n2) More law enforcemnet money can be spent on the "harder" drugs like meth, coke, herion, etc.--I consider those drugs much more of a danger to society.  This would take a burden off our jails too. \n3)  Decriminalizng Marijuana would give many minor drug offenders a shot at a better life--FYI, you are unable to get any financial aid for college if you are any type of drug offender, even a Misdemeanor!!  That only helps to continue the cycle of poverty/drug use/dealing, etc. \n4)  Tax the crap out of it and we could pay off our national debt! \n5) Marijuana has the potential to be an effective treatment for many people with various ailments, such as glaucoma, cancer, etc.\n\nCool class you are taking, never written papers like that before.
220466
of course teens should protect themselves against stds and pregnancy.  it should be used.  it should be openly given to teens.  ive got two views on this:\n\nmy grandma:\nteenagehood is when you are suppose to have kids!  that is when you are healthy and active!\n\nschool newspaper:\nif we are going to give teens condoms, why dont we give them sterile needles?  since drug use is increasely!\n\nmy view is as followed:\ncontraceptive should be in schools.   it should be used my teenagers.  after i told my mom i was having sex, she told me that i had to go to planparent hood with my boyfriend for the pill or i would be in trouble.\n\n16
171363
yes because it putting people in danger and it killing millions each year. and because most teens are doing cigareettes and alcohol because of peer pressure it causing more trouble in america and it would cause us more damage.
472543
I actually can´t give you a why NOT , If a person is brave enough to commit ADULT like crimes then they should be tried like adult criminals making exemptions will only make them think they can do whatever they want and keep on with a bad behavior and become worse , like here teens under 16 can not go to jail indeed they do whatever they please. a young criminal (26) said he would have prefered to have a severe punishment earlier so he would have learned his lesson now he can be proud of having a large criminal history from drugs to murder.
152110
Personally, I believe ALL children should be tested.  But as a parent, it is not only your right, but also your responsibility, to see that your child is given the best education available/possible.
162066
Only three things are going to work:\n1. Eliminate alcohol and tobacco. Ain't gonna happen.\n2. Constant monitoring of teenagers. Very expensive.\n3. Explain the consequences of smoking and drinking to them, without lying. This will not have a 100 percent effectiveness rate, because many teenagers feel they are old enough to make these decisions without the info.