To Test or not to Test for Drugs and Alcohol in Schools

drugtest — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:37:06 +0000

Although the Supreme Court ruling is a set back for schools who are attempting to help students, reduce crime or improve a school’s image, the fight is far from over and concerned students, teachers, district heads and counselors are looking into alternatives. How could students encourage other students to participate in an all volunteer drug and alcohol high school testing program?

Perhaps the “how” students are tested will make the difference. Previously, urine alcohol testing and swab testing were used to quickly test whether or not a student was using alcohol or drugs. Now, with new technology, there are other less intrusive ways to test students. The procedure is called Hair Alcohol Testing. It is the least intrusive alcohol high school test on the market. Hair alcohol testing is becoming the new preferred method for testing a person for drugs and alcohol for several reasons including:

•    Accuracy

•    Long term results- revealing a student’s consumption record up to 12 months with just 1 inch of hair!

•    Least intrusive method on the market: 1 small inch of scalp hair cut underneath the head

•    A trusted and respected method for detecting drugs and alcohol

If schools were able to offer an almost fun way to test themselves then perhaps the curiosity alone would temp them to volunteer? With new drug and alcohol testing devices, perhaps states don’t need to get involved at all- just leave it up to good ol peer pressure to change things.

It’s not that most schools were having huge problems with teens coming to class intoxicated or under the influence; in fact even before the Supreme Court ruling; most students were volunteering to be tested for drugs and alcohol.

In order to avoid mandatory random drug testing, several student bodies took it upon themselves to test each other for alcohol and drug use. It wasn’t as challenging as you would think to get students to monitor themselves, to avoid the latter. Possibly it was because most school’s consequences for students with “positive results” were minor with no arrests, just counseling, parent involvement and sports and other privileges revoked.

A high school in Washington State attempted a two-year voluntary program but only received a 65 percent participation rate and those were only students in extra curricular activities. Although the turn out was low, a noticeable decline of alcohol and drug use could be detected.

Just because there is a couple bad apples in the group doesn’t mean the entire crop is bad. Students know this and they are eager to prove they are clean. What is more powerful than a “mandatory test” given by the state? A test backed by peer pressure.

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To Test or not to Test for Drugs and Alcohol in Schools