Student Drug-Testing Program

Student Drug-Testing Program: An Overview

The Problem

By the 12th grade more than one-third of high-school seniors have used drugs. Teens surveyed say drugs are their number one concern. 62% of high-school students and 28% of middle-school students report they attend schools were drugs are used, kept or sold. Substance abuse adds to least $41 billion dollars to the costs of elementary and secondary education, teacher turnover, truancy, property damage injury, counseling, and other costs. Schools that have implemented non-disciplinary student drug-testing programs have found the programs to be effective in reducing drug use and improving the learning environment for all students. 80% (2002-03 school year) and 79% (2003-04 school year) of schools with random student drug testing programs achieved scores higher than the state average on the mandated graduation test for grades 10-12 (McKinney 2005).

The Research Hypothesis

A non- punitive student drug- testing program is the most effective and economical means to reduce student drug use. The non- punitive student drug- testing program aims at deterring student drug use by implementing random drug-testing in schools in order to create a safe, drug, free learning environment. The objective of this program is to:

(1) "Educate students, school administrators and parents about the mental and physical consequences of drug-use such as drug use encourages truancy, disruptive class behavior, lack of teacher respect, bullying, and violence. Student drug use also interferes with learning and academic achievement and is a threat to not only the drug users but to all students and teachers.

(2) Educate students, school administrators and parents about the dangers of students driving or parking on school property or participating in driver education while under the influence of drugs.

(3) Provide school administrators and parents information concerning the effectiveness of non-punitive student drug testing programs including the documented improvement in class room behavior, academic achievement and the reduction in school violence. Enable school administrators to increase the safety of students driving or parking on school property, including those participating in driver education.

(4) Maintain school districts have access to information to correctly implement non-punitive student drug-testing policies and programs that meet constitutional and privacy requirements,

(5) Establish a means for school districts to exchange ideas and information about student drug-testing programs and to support schools in meeting any legal challenges and frivolous lawsuits.

(6) Assure that law and policy makers know that student drug testing is a proven and economical method to substantially reduce student drug use." (American...2002).

Methodology

The non- punitive student drug- testing program aims at deterring student drug use by implementing random drug-testing in schools in order to create a safe, drug, free learning environment.

Subjects/Participants

All middle school and high-school students are subject to the random drug-testing program.

Selection of Subjects (Experimental & Control)

100 or 200 subjects will be used over a period of 2 years, using random allocation, exact sample size will be given when appropriate personal in the field is consulted.

The Intervention:

A screening test will be administrated on- site with a kit conducted by a trained faculty member, school nurse or drug testing program contractor. Such test will be conducted in a secure, private and unobserved area. Specimen handling will be documented through entire process and chain of custody procedures adhered to for