School Drug Testing for Students and Drivers.

Drug & Alcohol Testing Compliance Services has been committed to keeping our youth drug-free for over 35 years.

One of the most frequent questions people ask us is, “Can schools randomly drug test students?”

The answer is yes. In June 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court broadened the authority of public schools to test students for illegal drugs.

Why?

Because high school drug testing has been shown to be extremely effective at reducing drug use in schools all over the country. As a deterrent, few methods work better or deliver clearer results.

Scientists have recently discovered that the brain is not fully developed in early childhood, as was once believed. Introducing chemical changes in the brain by using illegal drugs can have far more serious adverse effects on youth than on adults. Marijuana’s effects, for example, are not confined to the “high”; the drug can also cause serious problems with memory and learning, as well as difficulty in thinking and problem-solving. 6.9% of 12th graders use marijuana daily and 43.7% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old have tried marijuana in their lifetime. 5% of 12 to 17 year olds report using cocaine in the last year, 7.5% have abused hallucinogens and 5.9% have used LSD.

• Educates school representatives on implementing and maintaining an active, successful program.
• Dispatches mobile collectors and coordinates regional collection sites for your facility.
• Provides quick and confidential online access to test results, random lists, and other management tools
• Customizes the program for your school with a variety of drug detection testing such as urine, hair, oral fluids and others.

Note: Oral fluids is becoming very popular for student drug testing because it eliminates “shy bladder” and saves time.

• Provides Medical Review Officer services as needed
• Can customize your drug testing policy, which is the keystone of any effective drug testing program.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports a 24% reduction in youth drug use since 2001. 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 to prevent usage altogether.

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

• Written policy
• Teacher and administrator training
• Student drug education
• Drug and alcohol testing
• 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 in knowing where to start. Here are 6 easy steps you can follow to start a comprehensive drug testing program.

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

Your list of reasons for drug testing may include any all or some 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

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

• U.S. Department of Education Information on Student Drug-Testing Programs
• Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Juveniles & Drugs: Facts & Figures