It has not yet been established that drug testing does not cause harm. The following should be considered

1. Students involved with illicit drugs may decrease their involvement in extracurricular activities to avoid drug testing. According to the National Institute on Out-of-School Time (www.niost.org), students who spend time in extracurricular activities are 49% less likely to use drugs. Without engagement in such activities, adolescents have a higher likelihood of dropping out of school, becoming pregnant, joining gangs, pursuing or increasing their use of drugs, and/or engaging in other risky behaviors.
2. Positive drug-test results may cause increased family conflict rather than improve the home situation for the students.
3. Drug testing of adolescents is not performed for public safety. Even adults have mixed responses to the idea of widely applied drug testing.  Although many support the idea of drug testing as a necessary measure for public safety from intoxicated or impaired pilots, bus drivers, police officers, and others, they often voice concerns when the application becomes more pervasive and random.
4. Dollars spent on drug testing may be more effectively spent on drug prevention programs or well-established counseling programs.
5. Drug testing youth who have not been implicated in using drugs may be perceived as being unfair and, thereby, may reduce trust and connectedness with their school, which are essential for maintaining lines of communication.

Source: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/120/6/1379#R7

We did a Twitter-stream “Ask the Expert” series for the first time – taking tweets from parents around the world.  I answer just a few questions from parents and educators following me on Twitter.

• What do I tell my children about my past relationship with alcohol or other drugs?
• One father wants to know whether marijuana is addictive?
• Should we lower the drinking age?
• How do I feel about random drug-testing in schools?

Is your school considering random drug testing?  Drug testing is the latest “silver bullet” to reduce teen substance use and establish early intervention measures.  But how effective is it?  Are there unintended consequences?  What is the research saying?  As school counselor,  you may be asked by your school to consider the drug testing option as part of your school’s wellness strategy.  Jennifer Kern is the Youth Policy Manager at Safety 1st.  Ms. Kern is our guest today on Independent School Counselor.

Related Links:

• Drug Testing in Schools – Evidence, Impact, Alternatives
• Student Drug Testing – Safety First Website
• Victory in Washington State Drug Testing Case
• 7 Reasons Parents Should Not Test Their Kids for Drugs
• Office of National Drug Control Policy
• Random Drug Testing Will Create an UpRoar
• Media Awareness Project on Drug Testing
• River Dell Seniors Protest Drug Testing