Voluntary, Randomized, Student Drug-Testing: Impact in a Rural, Low-Income, Community

• NCJ Number: 223016
• Journal: Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: April 2008 Pages: 47-66
• Author(s): Kyle Barrington Ph.D.
• Date Published: April 2008
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research); Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluated the effectiveness of school voluntary, randomized, student drug testing (VRSDT) on students' self-reported rates of illegal drug use in a rural, low-income community.

Abstract

The quantitative portions of this study showed that VRSDT did not have a statistically significant impact on students' illegal substance-use rates; however, the study's qualitative results indicate that there are at least three identified reasons for spending time and resources in implementing a VRSDT program. First, VRSDT helped school administrators identify students who needed more intensive substance abuse services. Second, VRSDT is believed to have increased school bonding and connectedness for students. Third, the low number of students testing positive for drugs relieved community perceptions that drug use was a major problem among community youth. In the fall of 2005, the intervention school district established a VRSDT policy and program for all secondary school students (6-12th graders) who were participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities. The program required that all participating students be drug and alcohol tested at the beginning of and randomly during each school year. All participating students had to agree to the drug testing, and active parental consent was obtained. Informational, mandatory parent, student, and community VRSDT meetings were held, and nonattending students were not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities. This study involved two rural, low-income, public secondary school districts. Both districts successfully implemented the Pride Survey, which is a nationally known, self-reported student survey that measures alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs used, as well as students' attitudes and perceptions regarding drug use. The survey was administered regularly from 2003 through 2007. 1 table, 1 figure, and 23 references