Drug Watch International

Student random drug-testing prevention programs: do these programs work?

By C. E. Edwards

Designing and conducting long-term scientifically-valid studies on student random-testing programs has proven to be complicated and expensive. Results of various studies are continually questioned and data, even within single studies, is sometimes conflicting and confounding. Data from self- reporting drug use surveys have demonstrated less drug use once a program is implemented. While considered reliable, survey data has been questioned in spite of validity checks present in survey instruments. Data from student drug-test results have demonstrated decreases in drug use as positive test results decline over time. Such results, while encouraging and valuable for trending purposes, have limitations in that test results do not provide definitive answers as to why positive-test rates decline.

Another form of evidence is derived from what those with student random drug-testing experience have to say about the programs. What does the experience of student random drug-testing programs add to the evidence that answers the question: “do these programs work?”

Quite a lot as it turns out.

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