Key Quote: “It’s crucial to hit them at that age.” Am I just naive, but are drugs a major problem at this age? Maybe there are, but it just seems young. I just know they’ll start doing random drug test when my younger daughter hits the first grade in about five years.
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honestly, agree or not with drug testing, 7th grade is not too early. From my experience, it’s just right. 6th grade and you’re still very naive, but once you go to middle school, it’s a brand new game where you’re at a very impressionable age.
Like John, I agree that it isn’t too young. I’ve been in AA for almost 8 years now and I’ve heard a lot of “war stories” for both drugs and alcohol. Most of the people started drinking and drugging when they were 12 or 13, myself included. My youngest sister is now a freshman in high school. Some of her classmates started drinking, drugging and dealing drugs a couple of years ago. It’s a scary reality, but a true one nevertheless.
That being said, I don’t agree with drug testing in schools. Schools already search lockers and belongings. If they can’t find anything and the child is being disruptive in some way and/or shows other signs, the parents should be notified and allowed to deal with the situation. If the child is ever found to have drugs or alcohol at school, the police and the parents should be notified and let them handle it from there.
When I was in 7th grade (not too long ago, I’m only 20) it wasn’t really “drugs” students were doing. We were drinking (occasionally, when we could find alcohol or find someone to buy it) or smoking cigarettes. I knew a few kids who smoked pot, but there weren’t that many. Growing up in a rural area I doubt that it’s a huge problem, but I can imagine how it could easily be one in an urban setting.
I live in a rural area. It isn’t about that. There’s nothing to do and people get bored. They look for ways to have fun and drugs and alcohol are available for the taking when you know who to ask. And it isn’t about financial or gender lines either. Those who want to, will. There’s always a way. The question becomes what- if anything- to do about it?
Sadly, I have to agree- it’s not uncommon for 7th graders to be doing that sort of thing.
when i was a young child long ago my father was a crack addict. I never understood what crack really was until one day when my dad came home drunk and high. I asked my mom what was wrong with my dad and she told me he was abusing drugs.. I then understood