School Testing

  

School Drug Testing Programs

 A generation ago only 10% of 12 years olds were exposed in one way or another to drugs of abuse.

Today, it is approaching 50% and the younger a person is exposed to drugs the higher the chance to become additive adults.

Drug & Alcohol Testing Compliance Services is committed to keeping our youth drug-free.

DATCS currently administers programs for over 200 schools in the state of Texas alone, with that number increasing daily. Here are just a few reasons for our continued growth in school drug testing:

  • We have been in the drug testing business for more than 20 years.
  • We work with and educate school representatives on implementing and maintaining an active, successful program.
  • We make the drug testing process convenient by dispatching mobile collectors and coordinating with regional collection sites for your facility.
  • We provide quick and confidential online access to test results, random lists, and other program management tools via secure login on our website.
  • We customize the program for your school by providing a variety of drug detection matrixes: urine, hair, steroids, and oral fluids, among others.
  • We contract with one of the most reputable Medical Review Officer services in the nation to interpret the results of any non-negative test.
  • We can help you write a customized drug testing policy. The policy is the keystone of any effective drug testing program.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, there has been a 24% reduction in youth drug use since 2001.1 As communities, we need to be committed to improving this statistic. Random student drug testing is an integral part of this commitment. By implementing drug testing in our schools, we can identify and intervene with early age drug users and in many cases prevent usage altogether.

For the past several years, and in growing numbers throughout the country, schools have been taking a stand against drug abuse by implementing responsible student drug testing programs.

Drug testing has proven to be a highly effective deterrent to drug use in schools. It is also a great way to identify individuals who need help. Students subject to drug testing have a built-in reason to say no when offered drugs, even in the face of extreme peer pressure. Some students, by nature of their participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, cheerleading and band, are natural role models to other students, and drug testing helps ensure that they set a proper example.

When a school adopts a drug testing program, it sends a clear message: Drug abuse is not tolerated here!

Drug testing by itself is not the solution. It is most effective when part of a comprehensive program that typically includes five key components.

  1. Written policy
  2. Teacher and administrator training
  3. Student drug  education
  4. Drug and alcohol testing
  5. Student assistance

Starting a student drug testing program is a serious undertaking, but it does not have to be difficult.  Many school administrators indicate that the biggest roadblock they face is not knowing where to start.  Here are six easy steps you can follow to start a comprehensive drug testing program.

  • Identify Your Drug Testing Objectives
  • Choose a  Drug Testing Provider
  • Decide How to Conduct Drug Testing
  • Write a Drug Testing Policy
  • Train Teachers and Administrators and Educate Students

Your list of reasons for drug testing may include any or all of the following:

  • To establish a safer learning environment
  • To reduce at-school accidents
  • To improve the health and well-being of students
  • To eliminate crime, including theft and violence, at school
  • To reduce the number of dropouts
  • To decrease absenteeism
  • To improve students’ academic performance
  • To enhance your school’s public image

For more information on funding your school’s program and other advocacy for school drug testing, please visit the following links:

 [1]Juveniles & Drugs: Facts & Figures.Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2008.

Drug Testing for School Bus Drivers

Under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines, school bus drivers fall under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and are subject to federal drug and alcohol testing (i.e., pre-employment, random, post-accident, etc.).

The DATCS Compliance Department serves the regulatory needs for hundreds of schools and thousands of bus drivers. In fact, we have a special consortium dedicated to the schedule-sensitive needs of school bus drivers.

In many cases, DATCS serves schools by administering programs for both students and drivers, making the collection process convenient for both.

DATCS provides:

  • Computerized random pool management
  • SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) help line numbers to post in the workplace
  • Notifications of changes of state and federal regulations
  • 24 hour emergency response and on site testing
  • Web page training on how to update your personnel list and receive faster results on the web

All bus drivers must obtain commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) with the proper endorsements, and must have a negative pre-employment drug test on file before driving a bus.   Qualifications and standards for drivers are established by State and Federal regulations. Bus drivers are responsible for complying with regulations within their own States, as well as those of other States (or countries) where they operate.

Federal regulations also require employers to test their drivers for alcohol and drug use as a condition of employment and require periodic random tests of the drivers while they are on duty.

See DOT Compliance Services for more information. 

[2] Bus Drivers: Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement .U.S. Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics , 2008.

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