American Academy of Pediatrics Opposes School Drug Testing
Schools
should not use random, suspicionless drug tests to catch or deter drug users, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says in an updated policy statement. The Academy came out in opposition to such policies in the new issue of the journal Pediatrics.
“School-based drug testing is a controversial approach to preventing substance use by students”, says the AAP’s report. “Although school drug testing has hypothetical benefits, and studies have noted modest reductions in self-reported student drug use, the American Academy of Pediatrics opposes widespread implementation of these programs because of the lack of solid evidence for their effectiveness.”
Dr. Sharon Levy, director of the adolescent substance abuse program at Boston Children’s Hospital, agrees, saying there is little evidence to suggest that random drug testing deters or prevents drug use. Dr. Levy believe the focus should be on identifying potential drug users through other, less-invasive methods, and assuring that they get the opportunity to enter into treatment programs.
The full report can be found by clicking here.
– TheJointBlog