by Elizabeth Olivier

Created on: January 19, 2012   Last Updated: January 22, 2012

Across the country, many schools have random drug testing programs.  They are considered the latest tool in what has appeared to be a losing battle against illegal drug consumption by students. 

However, testing has not been without its share of controversy and many schools have dismissed the idea rather than be pulled into the fray.  With cases making it all the way to the Supreme Court, it is important to know the merits of each argument.

Pros of drug testing

* May act as a deterrent to drug use

Schools often claim drug testing is used as a deterrent to starting or continuing to use drugs.  Drug testing of pilots is a common example of its effectiveness in the workforce.  One school program which has been highly touted for its successful reduction of drug use is a voluntary drug testing program in Autauga County, Alabama.  In their publication “What You Need to Know About Drug Testing in Schools”, The Office of National Drug Control Policy sites that this program successfully reduced nicotine use by 11.5%, alcohol use by 9.9% and marijuana use by 6.7% over a two year period.  Detractors of drug testing point out that, in this example, drug testing was part of an incentivized program where students were rewarded with discounts from local stores in the community and it is not clear that drug testing alone would produce such results. 

Additionally, the research has not been overly supportive of the deterrent claim.  Most recently, a 2007 study of high school athletes, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health,  found that students under random drug testing programs did not consider testing a reason to avoid drug use and gave indication to increased risk for future abuse problems.

* Give students an excuse to refuse drugs

More important than the fear factor of drug testing may be the excuse factor.  Proponents point out that in an environment of peer pressure, students can blame drug testing instead of expressing their personal desire not to use drugs.  It’s similar to blaming parents for not being allowed to attend an unwise social event. 

While the excuse might not be any better accepted by their friends than the truth, it allows the student to distance themselves from the decision.  This idea may be especially useful for students who doubt their personal beliefs when confronted by people who do not share those values.

* Allow for intervention when students test positive

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