Illegal drug use, whether it’s underage drinking or smoking marijuana, has proved to be popular among many students over the years. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 36.5 percent of high school seniors surveyed in 2006 had used an illicit drug in the past year. To most, the numbers are not surprising. We all remember the parties in high school and many look forward to more during college. Students fail to see this as a problem. Since drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana have already become the norm in many high schools, something must be done before it gets even more out of control.

When programs like D.A.R.E. fail to prevent the use of drugs among students, what else is there to do? School administrations have decided to take a more direct initiative to lower the outrageous statistics.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recently announced they will promote random drug testing among middle and high school students who participate in extracurricular activities. Now the government has grants available to encourage schools, even those with limited funding, to adopt the program.

When students are randomly chosen to take a drug test, they are sent to the nurse’s office, where they can take a urine, blood or saliva sample. If the test is positive, the school sends it to a lab to be confirmed. A positive drug test results in numerous punishments that vary by school. Most include a suspension of extracurricular activities, a phone call to their parents and counseling.

With consequences like these, some people believe the students will stop participating in extracurricular activities altogether. However, when students decide to quit activities just so they can do drugs, schools will deal with it by someday randomly drug testing all students.

Drug testing is more likely to give students an excuse not to do drugs. More evident and immediate consequences make students less likely to fold under peer pressure.

If random drug testing becomes popular among more schools in the U.S., it won’t be surprising if NIU adopts the same program. Like any college, NIU is not exactly a drug-free campus. Recently, the Northern Star reported that the lights at a dance in the Student Holmes Center had to be left on due to the smell of cannabis. It seems almost obvious that sports teams should drug test their members if they are representatives of NIU. Drug testing can also serve as a test of honesty and commitment.

If drug use is becoming an evident problem in a particular school, it makes sense to try and find the students using drugs and helps them fix their lives. Where there are students who do drugs, there should be counselors and people to help them, and drug testing will only help schools find these students.

Regardless of any issues students may have with drug testing, it remains clear that drug testing is done to benefit the students. It’s unfortunate that it had to come to drug testing, but in today’s world, it is necessary.

While random drug testing won’t stop everyone from doing drugs, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

To some students, the concept of random drug testing makes them cringe. What is it they are afraid of?: The disappointment of their parents, or being kicked off of an extra-curricular activity? Either way, it’s a necessary last resort.