Random drug testing approved by Trinity ISD

Pure Gossip wrote:

<quoted text>
Just don't drink and drive. It's simple. Just abide by the "original" law and you're OK. I don't know what the big problem is with obeying the laws. You don't do drugs, you don't drink and drive, you're innocent. I won't reply to this string again. All kinds of excuses can be made and all kinds of "what ifs". Just obey the law and you won't have any problems. This is what's wrong with our society today. We think we can take one drink or two drinks and drive home, but oh gosh if we're stopped, we haven't done anything wrong. A little marijuana is not bad. I don't do meth or coke or anything like that. But it is AGAINST THE LAW. Just obey the laws.

There shouldnt be aproblem obeying laws. But would you want to be investigated for a crime although there was no probable cause to faciltate an investigation. If your child had made a mistake and tried marijuana ONE time and was then tested for no cause 20 days later, and tested positive, would you want his life ruined forever? Or would you have rather as a parent using todays technology tested your child at home and dealt with the problem yourself. Where the child could learn from it and still have a chance in life. You know, drug users are people who have made bad choices and there choices got them in trouble and now they see no way out because of that trouble. So they use even more. And pretty soon they are out of control. Eventually you might get thru to them but then they have to be happy to settle on an average or below average life.

Im glad you choose not to respond further. It allows me the last word.....it's not a matter of "just" obeying the law but it is a matter of definition (the gray area) where it becomes unconstitutional sometimes, or even out right wrong, the laws made are made by .. you guessed it....HUMANS and last I checked, we are not perfect, and there is always one jack ass in the bunch that tosses all that IS right away because he heard one way of thinking should be everyones way of thinking for a particular cause then we wonder why that person doesnt take up residence in cuba. If it is a dictatorship you feel you and your family need by all means, rule with a iron fist, but dont force it on society because you think you or yours will never face an issue or morals that the government decided to make laws

I didn't rule with an iron fist. I expected my kids to stay out of trouble. They were taught and and were witnesses to the fact that drugs and alcohol ruin lives.

Sieg Hiel!

Remember the Jews, Romanian Gypsy's, Jehovah Witness', and the "Infirm" during the last time someone spouted for them to Blindly "Obey the Law".
Too many parents have let their children become Wards of the State of Texas and the Federal Government. Relying on the Government to tell us what is right for their kids. BULLSHIT!
We fought Santa Anna, We Fought the Apache, Kiowa, Comanche & Mescalaro Apache, for the right of living as "FREE" Men and women in the State of Texas. Not under the thumb of an oppressive government. Durg Testing your kids for something they "Might" do, is paramount to Pure Gossip being sentenced to life, because he/she happens to be in Brookshire Brothers when a robbery takes place. You laugh now.. Until one of your Innocent Children gets bound up and tossed into TDCJ-ID because some LEO decides he/she is Guilty without benefit of trial.(Same thing with Random Drug Testing of Student)

The answer IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT STEPPING IN, the answer is PARENTS, TEACH YOUR KIDS AND DON'T DEPEND ON THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO TEACH MORALS!

Then you don't advocate Random Drug Testing in Trinity Schools?
If you are for Testing then you are willing to let the government tell you and your kids how to live.

Government Intervention into your family's Health and Welfare will lead to a police state just like 1938 Germany.

The Educational system is NOT supposed to be teaching Morality. That is the Parent's Job.
I have a 23 yr old and an 18 yr old who I trust implicitly.. I fought random drug testing, because it strips Minors of their inalienable rights under the Constitution. Without recourse.
Remember under the Articles of the constitution you have the right to face your accuser. Not with Mandated Random Drug testing.. Your Children are already guilty if they refuse. Punitive penalities can be Suspension, Expulsion, Loss of Civil Rights, Termination from extra curricular activities.. So they have already be adjudicated by the school board and the Supervisors that want this to pass..

He who gives up Simple Liberties in Exchange for Temporary Security, Deserve Neither - B. Franklin

Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Just a couple of Rights that apply to ALL Americans, Students and Minors included that they are trying to strip away.

What about the kids who don't participate in activities? Will they be randomly tested, as well?
What about the teachers?
I agree that this should be the parents responsibility to test, not the school's.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to kick the kids out of their activities, leaving them more time to get more involved in drugs.
And will counseling be provided to kids that test positive?
Is there really a problem knowing which kids are on drugs? If you spend any time at the school, you know who they are. Aren't the ones not involved in activities more likely to be doing drugs?
Maybe some of you know the answers to these questions.

impromtitue drug testing without cause should be unconstitutional anywhere. In the schools, at work. The practice itself is an invasion of your privacy.

Pure Gossip wrote:

The answer IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT STEPPING IN, the answer is PARENTS, TEACH YOUR KIDS AND DON'T DEPEND ON THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO TEACH MORALS!

The school board enacted mandatory drug testing for participants in extracurricular activities. Does one need a better example of government stepping in?

Let_Charlie_Fight_His_War wrote:

<quoted text>
The school board enacted mandatory drug testing for participants in extracurricular activities. Does one need a better example of government stepping in?

That's what I'm saying, do away with the drug problem and we won't have to have mandatory drug testing.

Let_Charlie_Fight_His_War wrote:

<quoted text>
The school board enacted mandatory drug testing for participants in extracurricular activities. Does one need a better example of government stepping in?

Better yet, take it to the school board.

Pure Gossip wrote:

<quoted text>
That's what I'm saying, do away with the drug problem and we won't have to have mandatory drug testing.

You said "the answer is not the government stepping in." But you're the head cheerleader on this thread for the school board (the government) and their drug testing.

EXTex ESQ wrote:

If Jim Bob Tests positive for Pot by the school, you can forget him getting a scholorship from ANYBODY, No FEDERAL Loans to help pay for school.
He'll be working part-time at the new Micky D's in Trinity at 30.

If they are doing drugs more than likely that is what is gonna happen anyway.. are you so blind that you have not seen what drugs do to young lives? start with Pot and by adulthood its usually a much harder drug. I'd rather my children be drug tested at school then playing russian roulette ( sp?) with a crack pipe.. or more likely meth!

Let_Charlie_Fight_His_War wrote:

<quoted text>
You said "the answer is not the government stepping in." But you're the head cheerleader on this thread for the school board (the government) and their drug testing.

I have a question for everyone here. Do you think it is possible to ever get rid of the drug problem? And be realistic.

No, I dont. Drugs have been around far far longer than will be possible to completely rid. I am all for knowing where my kids are.. overprotective has been mentioned in describing me many times.. however some parents will never step up to those responsibilites.. Have any of you ever seen what steroids can do? the rage fits they cause.. the danger all the kids at school can be in from one or two who want that Boost?? If the kids test postive will they get criminal charges or just kicked off their activity? I work a full time job.. I get random drug testing.. I know Im innocent so I take my cup follow the directions.. and get it over with.. if someone wanted to search my house.. so be it . I have nothing to hide! something really missing now in this day and time is accountability. If my kids are in trouble somewhere .They are in deep trouble at home.. If I suspected drug activity would i test em.. I sure would!! If an officer felt the need to search my child's car I'd be helping them take the seats out! I think giving the kids the easy out .. and one more reason to say No. is a good idea.. Yes we have men fighting overseas right now dying for our freedom.. For a BETTER life for us! not so that we can say every check and balance is a breach of that freedom.. we all have to be held accountable to something! feel good do is obvoiously not working.. look around!

Just me wrote:

No, I dont. Drugs have been around far far longer than will be possible to completely rid. I am all for knowing where my kids are.. overprotective has been mentioned in describing me many times.. however some parents will never step up to those responsibilites.. Have any of you ever seen what steroids can do? the rage fits they cause.. the danger all the kids at school can be in from one or two who want that Boost?? If the kids test postive will they get criminal charges or just kicked off their activity? I work a full time job.. I get random drug testing.. I know Im innocent so I take my cup follow the directions.. and get it over with.. if someone wanted to search my house.. so be it . I have nothing to hide! something really missing now in this day and time is accountability. If my kids are in trouble somewhere .They are in deep trouble at home.. If I suspected drug activity would i test em.. I sure would!! If an officer felt the need to search my child's car I'd be helping them take the seats out! I think giving the kids the easy out .. and one more reason to say No. is a good idea.. Yes we have men fighting overseas right now dying for our freedom.. For a BETTER life for us! not so that we can say every check and balance is a breach of that freedom.. we all have to be held accountable to something! feel good do is obvoiously not working.. look around!

I understand everything you said. However, if we start allowing officers and leaders just do what they want when they feel like it . I t will cause many more issues than you can even imagine. Think of the consequences of being charged with something that was found in an unauthorized search of your home. Something that maybe your child accidently brought itno your home because of a friend or maybe a friend brought it in. There are many different explanations.The truth is we can never even imagine the different scenarios that could spiral out of control by allowing drug testing or searches without probable cause. Now if the drug tests are facilitated in the same manner as a job drug test. Then maybe that isnt so bad. No charges being filed.And extreme punishment at home and in their extra activity. I can see that.

Let_Charlie_Fight_His_War wrote:

<quoted text>
You said "the answer is not the government stepping in." But you're the head cheerleader on this thread for the school board (the government) and their drug testing.

If you want to call me the head cheerleader go right ahead. If you would read my posts with an open mind you'd understand what I'm saying. I AM NOT for government just doing whatever they darn well please. Evidently the school board has enough reason to check these kids under the UIL authority. I'm sure they just didn't dream it up. If it's UIL required, the school has to authorize it. Let the kids grow up in the real world. There is still accountability for oneself and actions. Will they refuse when they join the workforce. Drugs are rampant. I don't want to employ anyone crazed on drugs and that's my right.

Pure Gossip wrote:
"Evidently the school board has enough reason to check these kids under the UIL authority."
..........
So - UIL authority trumphs the Bill of Rights?

I have read your post and tried to understand your point of view. I can relate to your very real fear of kids and drugs, I completly understand why you would be willing to do whatever it takes to keep kids off drugs, but do you really want to trade the protections of the Bill of Rights and the freedom this country stands for to "protect the children" from drugs?