Drug testing is nothing new and has been around for a very long time but, is it a reasonable search? Well, that depends on who you ask to define reasonable. To some people it is "reasonable" to burn people alive under the suspicion of witchcraft. To me "reasonable" is only when I have other physical confirmation of committing a violent crime that a search of my person or property may be made. For an employer to be "reasonable" in a search they must have physical corroborating evidence of a crime or destruction to property or person(s). However, most politicians are quite statist in their point of view when concerning "reasonable" and enjoys the fact that they can catch every individual that does anything they disagree with. When it comes to drug use a large majority of politicians agree that "Zero Tolerance" is the answer and that it's OK to discriminate for what they believe to be the "Greater Good". While the Constitution protects us a little against such discrimination, it only does so against established governing bodies. Wait a second, isn't it fair to consider employers an established governing body? While that would be fair, many consider the choice of having a job vs not having one based upon how you conduct your private life a fair choice. I do not believe that a choice of two negatives is fair and neither does the
ACLU as they have worked to eliminate discretionless drug screening. However, their support from others on this subject is minimal at best.
High Times Magazine did an article in May covering the issue on drug testing for public assistance.
A study conducted in 2012 in Florida concluded that only 5.1% of people on public assistance use illicit drugs and only 8% of people screened for employment fail a drug test. So, we spend billions annually to catch less than 10% of the population and to
prevent less than 10% of all workplace accidents. If employers actually care about safety and not about a cheap scapegoat then they would
test only for inebriation but, such testing is very subjective and expensive. Most of the push for more testing is from people who profit from such tests and the government. The Federal Government is always trying to find ways around the
Constitution and the
Bill of Rights so, invading the privacy of our bodies via the private sector makes them giddy. I urge everyone to learn both of these documents to the furthest extent as they are meant to protect and preserve our Natural Rights.
Now a lot of people ask what can I do to stop this invasion of the privacy of the inside of my body? Well, there are many options. I'd start with talking to and getting involved with your local
ACLU and
NORML chapters. Then, contact your State Senators, Representatives, Governor and Legislators via phone, email and writing a letter. If you do all three methods of contact then you will be heard. You can also let your friends and family know how drug testing negatively affects your life and how it is an unconstitutional invasion of your body. Lastly, know the laws of the state you live in. If an employer doesn't follow the state law DO NOT HESITATE to report them to everyone that will listen (the ACLU, NORML, the state labor board, state attorney, and even the Governor of your state) If we make the subject of drug testing as uncomfortable on employers as it is on the employee then they will start to take measures preventing the need for broad based privacy invasions such as drug screening.
Till next time,
Stay High
