When I worked as a photographer on a cruise ship, my experience was far from smooth. From the moment I arrived, everything felt off—things were broken, morale was low, and the food was terrible. I wanted to leave, but I was told I had to stay until we reached Acapulco. That morning, I was told the company would drug test everyone leaving the ship, which felt like an added layer of stress after everything else that had gone wrong. The hotel manager, who seemed to have more power than the captain, was difficult to deal with, and I just wanted to get off the ship.
I hadn’t slept well, waking up at 5 a.m. to pack, and by the time they called me in for the drug test, I was so exhausted and emotional that I couldn’t manage to drink enough water. I was told there wasn’t enough urine, and I ended up crying hysterically, desperate to leave. It was a terrible experience. In the end, I was driven straight to the airport, told to board a plane, and go home—no stops, just a sudden end to my cruise contract. That was my second attempt at working on a cruise ship, and after that, I was left terrified and never went back.
That experience highlighted something very important: drug testing is meant to be a safety measure, but it can also be misused as a tool of control and even punishment. When it's not handled fairly, it can feel like a weapon—something that takes away your dignity in an already stressful situation.
This brings me to the issue of drug testing for public officials. If I, as a photographer on a cruise ship, was subjected to a drug test, why shouldn’t our leaders be held to the same standard?
Public figures, especially those with enormous responsibilities, should be held accountable for their actions, just as people in other jobs are.
The decisions made by presidents or prime ministers affect millions of lives, and their fitness for office is too important to leave unexamined.
Take, for example, Donald Trump. His behavior has raised many questions about his judgment and fitness for office.
From erratic speech to bizarre actions, it’s understandable why people might speculate about what could be influencing his behavior.
Could substance use be part of the equation?
While there’s no concrete proof, we shouldn’t dismiss the possibility that a leader could be impaired when making life-altering decisions. The potential consequences of a “drunk Trump” sending bombers to another country are far too high.
Here’s a simple question: If you’re not allowed to drive a car drunk, why should you be allowed to run a country? The logic should be the same—leaders with the power to make decisions that affect millions of people should be held to the same standards of sobriety, accountability, and fitness for office as anyone else. Just like a driver who is impaired by alcohol or drugs, a leader under the influence is a danger to everyone.
It’s important to ensure that drug testing for public officials, when necessary, is done fairly and transparently, with safeguards in place to prevent abuse. The stakes are high when it comes to national security, economic stability, and global peace. We need to demand accountability from our leaders, making sure they’re fit to make decisions on our behalf. Whether it’s Trump or any other elected official, if we’re required to undergo drug testing in our jobs, they should be held to the same standards.
Drug testing isn’t about punishing people—it’s about making sure those in positions of power are able to make decisions with a clear mind and sound judgment. Let’s make sure that drug testing, when necessary, is used fairly and consistently, ensuring that the leaders who make life-changing decisions for us are held accountable. The safety and well-being of millions depend on it.
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