Watch The Student Body

The Student Body is a 2016 documentary that sheds light on the alarming trend of schools randomly drug testing their students. The movie, directed by Bailey Webber and Michael Webber, is a mix of interviews, footage of school board meetings, and news clips. It features several students, parents, school administrators, and medical professionals who share their opinions and experiences on the issue.

The film starts by introducing us to a small town in Pennsylvania, where a new school board policy mandates drug testing for all students participating in extracurricular activities. The policy is met with resistance from some students, who feel that it violates their privacy rights. They start a petition against the policy and stage protests outside their school.

We then meet Holly Allen, a high school student in Texas who was suspended from her school's volleyball team after testing positive for a prescription drug that she needed to manage her anxiety. Holly's case sparked nationwide debate on the effectiveness and fairness of random drug testing in schools.

The movie delves deeper into the topic by exploring the history of drug testing and its impact on students. We learn that the concept of drug testing in schools originated in the 1980s as a response to the "War on Drugs" campaign. However, studies have shown that random drug testing does not effectively deter drug use among students. Instead, it creates a culture of fear and mistrust.

The Student Body also highlights the racial and socioeconomic disparities in drug testing policies. Students from low-income families are more likely to be subjected to drug testing, while students from affluent families are often exempt. This perpetuates the notion that drug use is more prevalent among lower-income communities.

One of the most poignant moments in the movie is when a mother shares her heart-wrenching story about her son, who committed suicide after being caught with drugs and being subjected to drug testing. She believes that the shame and stigma attached to drug use, coupled with the fear of repercussions, pushed her son over the edge.

The Student Body is a thought-provoking documentary that raises important questions about the impact of drug testing on students. It challenges the notion that drug testing is a necessary tool to combat drug use in schools and presents alternative solutions such as education and counseling.

The film is well-crafted and engaging, with a mix of emotional interviews and informative segments. The visuals are stunning and the soundtrack fits perfectly with the overall tone of the film.

In conclusion, The Student Body is a must-see for anyone interested in the topic of drug testing in schools. It is a compelling documentary that will leave you with a greater understanding of the issue and its complexities. It encourages viewers to question the status quo and advocate for change.

The Student Body is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.