Pubdate: Mon, 22 May 2006
Source: Blade, The (Toledo, OH)
Copyright: 2006 The Blade
Contact:  http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Author: Montana Miller

RANDOM TEST NOT WAY TO CUT DRUG USE

Bowling Green educators and parents who are considering testing their
student athletes for drug use need to find a better strategy.

According to comprehensive research by the ACLU and the Drug Policy
Alliance (updated in January, 2006), no legitimate study has ever
shown random testing to be effective in reducing drug use in schools.

Scientists from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American
Public Health Association, University of Michigan, and the National
Institute on Drug Abuse have all found, through repeated large-scale
studies, that drug testing changed neither attitudes nor behaviors
among young people.

Instead, such programs waste schools' money and time; they are
unreliable and legally risky; they drive students away from
participation in extracurricular activities; they do not identify
students who have serious drug problems; they lead to increased use of
alcohol, which is less detectable by a drug test, and they undermine
trust between teenagers and adults.

Random drug testing leaves students feeling humiliated and resentful -
not an atmosphere conducive to respectful discussion and healthy
relationships.

Research shows that participation in extracurricular activities is one
of the best deterrents to substance abuse and other risky behaviors.
Ironically, drug testing only discourages teens from taking part in
these after-school teams and clubs.

Montana Miller

Assistant Professor of Youth Culture

Bowling Green State University 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake