Drug Testing in Schools

Casey Filippone Dr. Carpentier EDU 360.01

Students who use drugs are more susceptible to:

Cutting class/being absent. Aggressive behavior. Dropping out. Unintentional injury, accidents, homicide and suicide. Drug use/abuse can lead to decrease in memory, attention and speeded information processing, and executive function (Tapert, 2009).

Legal Standings:
Vernonia School District v. Acton (1995) the Supreme Court ruled that the use of random, suspicionless drug testing (RSDT) of athletes was not a 4th amendment right. Later expanded in Earls v. Tecumseh School District (2002) to include students participating in extracurricular activities. State has substantial interest due to the imposed risk. "In loco parentis."

Schools
Between 2005 and 2007, $31 million was given out to schools nationwide to fund drug testing programs (Velasquez, 2010). 25.5 middle schools have RSDTs across the U.S. (Velasquez, 2010). Schools using tests not so much to catch and punish, but as a deterrent. Part of the funds from the state go into getting the student needed treatment/counseling.

The Opposition
How are these students being selected? Expensive and ineffective. Violates the students' right to privacy. Forced to disclose prescribed medications. Hurts student-school relationship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPUVRT8XZRg

Adolescent Attitudes Toward Random Drug Testing in Schools

Castleton State College experiment: 578 students from rural northwest area 213 middle school students 365 high school students given survey about drug use/drug testing

Middle School v. High School Results:

All drugs were dangerous. They would feel safer in school knowing there were drug tests. Drug test were a good way to control the use of drugs within the school. All after school activities should require drug testing. Police/parents should be notified if tested positive.

They felt they had a better understanding of drugs and alcohol and how to handle peer pressure. Didnt feel safety would be affected. There would be a decrease in after school activities.

*Both groups felt that faculty/staff should also be tested

Overall Findings:
Inconclusive. There is no solid evidence that RSDTs are effective in reducing drug use in schools. Students who don't participate in extracurricular activities are most likely to use drugs. Strongest predictor of drug use: attitude towards drugs and perception of peer use.

 With little evidence of success, do you think schools should keep the RSDT programs? Why or why not? What is your opinion on the legality of RSDTs? Do you agree/disagree with the Supreme Court's ruling?

References:
Loesevitz, M. (2007). Random drug testing in public schools. Journal of Law and Education, 36(3), 453-460. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/200977647?accountid=28076 Mosher, C. J., & Akins, S. (2007). Drugs and drug policy: The control of consciousness alteration. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Russell, B. L., Jennings, B., & Classey, S. (2005). Adolescent attitudes toward random drug testing in schools. Journal of drug education, 35(3), pp. 167-184. doi:10.2190/8GEA-60JH-5PPV-Q9WL Squeglia, L. M., J. Jacobus, and S. F. Tapert. "The Influence of Substance Use on Adolescent Brain Development." Clinical EEG and Neuroscience 40.1 (2009): 31-38. Print. Velasquez, J. (2010). Drug testing in schools: A brief review and analysis of recent events. American Journal of Health Education, 41(3), 180-186. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/728626814?accountid=28076