Drug Testing in Schools may be Ineffective: Study

Though schools continue to determine how to steer students against the direction of drugs and alcohol, new research suggests that creating a "positive school climate" is essentially more helpful than drug testing.

The study notes that approximately 20 percent of all U.S. high schools use drug testing as a way to prevent marijuana use. However, these tests are not equally performed on the student body, and show little evidence in reducing the drug rate.

"Even though drug testing sounds good, based on science, it's not working," Daniel Romer, Ph.D. of the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg Public Policy Center in Philadelphia said, via a press release. The study shows that most of the students tested were either noted for "suspicious" behavior or those who participated in clubs or sports.

The researchers interviewed 361 students-one third of which participated in drug testing. The team found that the students involved in the tested schools were just as likely to use drugs, tobacco or alcohol as those who did not participate in the tests.

In theory, study authors note that this policy could help prevent students from using marijuana who are regularly involved in sports or club activities. However, as students involved in after school extracurricular activities are less likely to use drugs than the general student population, the prevention effort is relatively ineffective.

The students interviewed were asked about their academic atmospheres, with a positive school climate one that stressed clear rules and the encouragement of a respectful relationship between teachers and students. The study showed that in this setting, students were 20 percent less likely to try marijuana and 15 percent less likely to use tobacco.

However, positive school climates had no effect on the student's alcohol use-with two-thirds of the participants admitting to alcohol use despite drug policies.

More information regarding the study can be found via the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.