What You Need to Know About Starting a Student Drug-Testing Program

摘要

An earlier ONDCP publication, What You Need to Know About Drug Testing in Schools, provided an overview of the complex issues involved in student drug testing, and it raised some important issues that parents and administrators must consider before starting such a program. For example: Will your school and community support such a program. What are the legal requirements. Which students should be tested. What kinds of tests are available, and which are best suited for your school. This report is meant to complement and build on the information provided in the earlier publication. This booklet assumes that you, as a school administrator, staff member, or parent involved in the decision, have considered all the issues, weighed the pros and cons, collected data, and are now ready to put together a plan for starting a drug-testing program in your school. It reviews the steps you need to take before implementing a testing program, such as conducting a needs assessment, consulting legal counsel, enlisting the support of both the school and the local community, developing a written policy, and providing access to student assistance. It offers guidance on how to find funding for your program, and it also includes a discussion of how some schools select students for testing and what types of tests they use. A list of resources includes Web sites and contact information for agencies and other organizations that can answer any further questions you may have about student drug testing.