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Random drug testing in US public school districts
Chris Ringwalt1, Amy A Vincus, Susan T Ennett
1Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 1516 E Franklin St, Suite 200, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA. ringwalt@pire.org
American Journal of Public Health
|April 3, 2008
Summary
In 2005, 14% of US public school districts with high school grades conducted random drug testing. Most tested athletes, while 28% tested all students, potentially exceeding Supreme Court limits.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Education Policy
- Substance Abuse Prevention
Background:
- Random drug testing in schools is a debated policy for deterring substance use.
- Previous research has focused on specific populations, like athletes, rather than district-wide implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of random drug testing policies in US public school districts with high school grades.
- To identify the scope of random drug testing (athletes, extracurricular participants, all students).
Main Methods:
- A nationally representative sample of 1343 public school districts with high school grades was surveyed in spring 2005.
- Data were collected from drug prevention coordinators within these districts.
Main Results:
- 14% of surveyed districts reported conducting random drug testing.
- Nearly all districts tested athletes; 65% tested students in extracurricular activities.
- 28% of districts tested all students, a policy potentially exceeding US Supreme Court sanctions.
Conclusions:
- A notable proportion of US public school districts implemented random drug testing by 2005.
- Testing policies varied, with some districts exceeding legal boundaries for universal student drug screening.
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