Pubdate: Mon, 18 Dec 2006
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2006 Asheville Citizen-Times
Contact:  http://www.citizen-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863
Author: Norman G. Hoffmann
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

RANDOM DRUG TEST IDEA FLAWED ON MANY LEVELS

The editorial from The Fayetteville Observer, "Random drug testing 
needed in our schools," (AC-T, Dec. 13), promoting drug testing of 
students, is flawed in more ways than can be described within the 
limits of a letter to the editor. One indisputable statement in the 
editorial is this sentence: "Protecting young people from drugs 
requires more than a drug test." However, the arguments for drug 
testing as part of a prevention program are either flawed or 
fallacious. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has published a 
guide for parents, educators, and community leaders that sets out 16 
principles for effective prevention programs. These principles are 
based on drug abuse programs that have demonstrated efficacy in 
reducing alcohol and other drug use. Drug testing does not address 
these principles, nor is it included in the design of programs that 
have demonstrated the ability to reduce drug use.

This guide is available on the Internet at 
www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/prevention/RedBook.pdf. This should be 
mandatory reading for anyone who wants to reduce drug use among 
students. Another source for evidence-based programs is the NIDA 
website: www.niaaa.nih.gov. Promoting drug abuse strategies that do 
not work squanders resources that could be dedicated to programs that 
actually do reduce drug use among our nation's youth.

Norman G. Hoffmann

Waynesville
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman