Drug addiction causes a lot of grief both for the people suffering from this harmful addiction, as well as for their families and friends, as well as for the whole society. Of particular concern is the fact that drug addiction is rapidly "getting younger."
Since December last year, in accordance with Federal Law N120-FZ, a drug test has been carried out among schoolchildren and students. But this law has met with mixed reactions, especially among human rights defenders. Indeed, are such checks necessary in schools?
What are the goals of testing schoolchildren for drugs?
According to narcology doctors, at least 10% of middle and high school students have tried a drug at least once.
In higher educational institutions, the number of students using drugs is much higher - from 15 to 30%.
This is an extremely dangerous situation, especially when you consider that every person who is heavily addicted to drugs is able to introduce a few more people from his inner circle to the harmful passion. Therefore, the sooner a drug addict is identified, the greater the chances that it will be possible to cure him, as well as prevent his friends and acquaintances from becoming involved in drug addiction.
The check consists of two stages. Psychological testing is done first. Students fill out a questionnaire by answering a series of questions. Then a medical examination is carried out by a narcologist. According to the law, any student, as well as his parents or guardians, has the right to refuse to be tested. And consent to check must be given in writing.
If it turns out that a student is taking drugs, he can be sent for treatment to a specialized clinic. Written consent to this, if the student is under 15 years old, must be given either by the parents or guardians of the child. If the student is already 15 years old, he must give his consent to the treatment.
What are defenders' objections to drug testing in schools
However, given the voluntariness of drug testing, such arguments can hardly be considered valid.
Predictably, the law was strongly opposed by a number of human rights organizations. They argue that such checks are an invasion of children's privacy and contradict one of the fundamental principles of the rule of law - the presumption of innocence. They say that even those children who have not heard the word "drug" will have to prove that they are not drug addicts.
Drug addiction is a terrible evil, therefore it is necessary to fight it by all means, including timely identification of drug addicts-children and helping them get rid of this harmful addiction.
