Bullying

This is a new era of bullying, and it is cyber bullying.  Most peoples first thoughts when they think of a bully is a big, bad kid who picks on everyone.  Sometimes that is the case, but recently it hasn't been.  These "bullies" aren't really bullies at all most of the time.  In the Tyler Clementi case the woman who helped Tyler's roommate stream the videos was supposedly a great person.  She was in her first year of a six year Pharmacy Program at Rutgers.  If someone was to look at her life a month ago compared to now, they would be polar opposites.  This is a case of someone making a terrible mistake because she didn't think of what could happen.  She didn't think through her decision and that will probably cost her, her life.  The people who are being bullied are normal students.  The only difference is that one or a few people have something against them, not everyone.  In the Tyler Clementi case it was his roommate basically trying to prove that he was gay.  It's interesting because the students being bullied are typically really nice and good students.  They're being bullied for anything that someone doesn't like about them.  This is anything from a student being gay to someone overweight.  It's not fair to bully someone about something they can't control.  There are a lot of things that can be done to help prevent bullying and also help the victims.  For example in school the consequences for hazing are a lot stiffer than they used to be.  If the penalties are worse, then the bullies will be less inclined to do it.  The students who are being bullied are the ones in a tough spot.  Schools can make support groups.  These groups probably wouldn't be that effective because nobody wants to admit that they've been bullied.  Also, the students being bullied can report the bullies, but once again they don't want be the tattle tales or have to explain their situation.  In this new technology age anything that is put in writing on the internet will be there forever.  Putting stuff on the internet for bullying purposes are worse than talking to someones face because after they say it it's gone.  That can't be said for posting on the internet.  With so many functions of the internet (instant messaging, email, facebook) there are so many more avenues for bullies to get their message across.  Also, it's easier for the bullies because they don't have to see the person face to face when they do it.  Bullying will always be one of the toughest things to prevent because all the different ways of bullying.  This also makes it worse for the victims because what is said about them can be seen by everyone.  Many people like Anderson Cooper are going to great lengths to help prevent bullying.  They are holding town hall meetings and meetings at school to stop the epidemic.  Hopefully all the awareness of bullying will make the people bullying less inclined to do it.

Drug Testing in Schools?

Drug testing in school is an issue where there is no definitive answer.  I think that the school should drug test their students.  Students going to school is a privilege and is more or less a job.  In the real world companies are able to drug test their employees.  They do this so their employees are working to their potential.  By the school drug testing their students, they will make sure that the students are working to their full potential.  Also, there is nothing wrong with trying to stop illegal activity.  By having the drug testing system in place, it would definitely help prevent students from starting drugs.  There needs to be some conditions as to who gets tested and the punishment.  The testing needs to be completely random and should be a portion of each class.  This way the school won't have any bias towards who they test.  Also, the punishments should vary.  If a student is going to get tested they should have the choice to admit to using drugs.  This type of student won't have a very severe punishment the first time.  They will have to take a class, and that's it for a first offense.  The students who actually test positive will also have to take the class, but also get a 3 day in-school suspension.  Students who either test positive or admit to using drugs will have one random follow up test within a few months of their first offense.  Repeat offenders will get a 5 day in-school, then a 5 day out of school.   Overall, having a drug testing system in place will help prevent students from doing drugs and will also help the school create a more positive focused environment.