Florentine students expressed outrage at the Minister of the Interiors new proposal to introduce drug tests in schools and at late-night check points outside discos. Giuliano Amato launched his controversial idea at the end of a Florentine conference on security and quality of life in urban centers sponsored by ANCI Toscana. During his speech at Palazzo Vecchio, Amato underlined the need for an enormous campaign against drug abuse. Today we only give drug tests to athletes. Why not have students take mandatory tests after their oral exams? If a student tests positive then his grade wouldnt count.
Students believe that Minister Giuliano Amatos idea would not be a viable deterrent to drug abuse by youth. Many teens consider it an absurd gesture by government officials that would breach their constitutional rights. Teens interviewed by the local daily Il Firenze asserted, we deserve more respect in a society that does little, or nothing at all, to deal with the difficulties facing youth today.
Local students are not alone in thinking that drug tests in schools are not a feasible solution to the countrys ever-increasing drug problem. Many Florentine teachers voiced their concerns, stating that the governments proposal is not a realistic one because the teachers themselves are not prepared to deal with such issues in class. Several teachers have rebutted that efforts to fight drug use among youth must first begin in the home.
In response to the proposed drug tests, one student suggested they should first start doing drug tests inside Parliament, and then well see if young people are the main users of illegal drugs or not. This same viewpoint was echoed by a spokesperson for the Association for Consumers Rights, who argued, If we start to give students drug tests after every exam, then we should also begin doing the same for politicians every time they vote in Parliament.
Students are also concerned about privacy issues. If Amatos proposal passes and in-school drug testing becomes mandatory, most students believe it would be impossible to keep the results a secret from their peers. By the same token, Paolo Ferrero, the Minister of Social Solidarity, expressed doubts as to the effectiveness of the proposal. This type of initiative would be immensely costly and is not entirely compatible with the democratic principles of our country.
