Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
10:17
High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 23, 2019
Random student drug testing as a school-based drug prevention strategy
Robert L DuPont1, Lisa J Merlo, Amelia M Arria
1Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., Rockville, MD 20852, USA. bobdupont@aol.com
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|August 22, 2012
Summary
School-based random student drug testing (RSDT) lacks strong evidence of effectiveness, despite its use in prevention. More research is needed to understand its impact on student drug use and identify those needing support.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Education Policy
- Adolescent Psychology
Background:
- School-based random student drug testing (RSDT) is implemented as a drug prevention strategy.
- Existing literature on RSDT effectiveness is limited, with ongoing debate surrounding its utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the objectives and current implementation of RSDT in schools.
- To review the available research on RSDT efficacy.
- To discuss controversies and criticisms associated with RSDT.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on school-based drug testing programs.
- Analysis of the rationale, prevalence, and criticisms of RSDT.
- Exploration of legal, cost, and student impact factors.
Main Results:
- Limited empirical evidence currently exists to confirm or deny the effectiveness of RSDT.
- Significant opposition to RSDT programs may hinder the generation of more empirical studies.
Conclusions:
- There is a need for rigorous, long-term evaluations of RSDT programs.
- Research should focus on assessing the effectiveness of different RSDT models in preventing drug use.
- Evaluations should also aim to identify students requiring assistance for drug-free living.
Related Concept Videos
02:01Group Design
The most basic experimental design involves two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The two groups are designed to be the same except for one difference— experimental manipulation. The experimental group gets the experimental manipulation—that is, the treatment or variable being tested—and the control group does not. Since experimental manipulation is the only difference between the experimental and control groups, we can be sure that any differences between the two are due to...
01:26Drug Discovery: Overview
Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...
01:25Drug Regulation
Drug regulation encompasses the management of drug usage by evaluating its safety and efficacy through assessments conducted by regulatory authorities. Regrettably, the history of drug regulation is marred by several catastrophic events. One such incident is the Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy, in which the toxic compound diethyl glycol was included in a sweet-tasting medication, leading to numerous fatalities. This event prompted the enactment of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938. Under...
01:03Drug Control Governance: Regulatory Bodies and Their Impact
Drug control governance involves the oversight and regulation of pharmaceuticals to ensure their safety and efficacy while preventing illegal drug use and trafficking. Regulatory bodies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union's European Medicines Agency (EMA), play a central role in this process. These agencies evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs before they can be marketed. They fund clinical trials and assess the benefits and risks associated with a...
01:19Pharmacovigilance
Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
01:23Drug Concentrations: Measurements
Drug concentration is the quantity of a drug present in a biological sample. Measuring drug amounts in biological samples allows the clinician to understand how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Samples can be obtained through invasive or non-invasive methods. Invasive techniques involve surgical or parenteral interventions to gather blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissue biopsy. Conversely, non-invasive approaches provide samples like urine, feces, and saliva.
Plasma —...
Plasma —...