Study finds that testing school children for cannabis is ineffective

A recent study examining the testing of school children for drug use found that the testing had no positive effect on it being used. Unlike in a business environment where employees risk their jobs if they take drugs, school children are not deterred by the threat of random tests.

Around 20% of American high schools test students. Most tests are carried out randomly, although some schools only test those who are thought to be smoking cannabis or taking other drugs. Drug testing in schools is a controversial practice in America.

361 high school students were included in the study. The students were assessed over a period of one year for changes in attitudes and behaviour towards smoking cannabis and how drug testing and positive school culture affected behaviour.

The study found that a threat of drug testing had no effect on students who were already using cannabis. The most important factor in determining drug use in schools was whether the students experienced a positive school climate.

The study also found that children are 20% less likely to take drugs in schools that foster a positive climate; however, even the best schools are still struggling to reduce teenage drinking.

The study paper was written by Sharon R Sznitman PhD from the University of Haifa, Israel, and Daniel Romer PHD from the Annenberg Public Policy Canter, University of Pennsylvania, and is entitled Student Drug Testing and Positive School Climates: Testing the Relation Between Two School Characteristics and Drug Use Behavior in a Longitudinal Study. It was published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.