DRUG TESTING DOES WORK

From Steve Minner, Ph.D.,
Conway:

I am compelled to write in support of drug testing programs in area schools.

Since 1986, I have worked in the substance abuse prevention/treatment field
and have personally conducted hundreds (if not thousands) of drug tests in
central Arkansas schools. As part of my Navy experience, I also supervised
a command urinalysis testing program while serving as the executive officer
of a 200-bed residential substance abuse treatment program.

The arguments being expressed in opposition to school drug testing programs
make for interesting debate, but are not supported by the reality of those
of us who have worked in the field. In testing students in area schools, I
never saw a single indication that any student was psychologically or
emotionally harmed as a result of being tested. In contrast, I was
consistently impressed with the positive attitudes and mental and
psychological perspectives that students displayed in response to being tested.

Further, I never saw any evidence that drug testing encourages students to
withdraw from extracurricular activities or to increase their drug usage.
Unfortunately, such claims play on the fears of parents even though they
generally come from those whose only experience with testing comes from
what they have read or heard.

While I appreciate the value of and need for research, the battle for the
minds and souls of our children won't wait until a research base on the
subject has been developed. While some encourage a "wait and see" position
on this matter, I personally applaud the courage and integrity of local
school boards and administrators who are willing to continue to do the
right thing in the interest of the health, safety and welfare of our children.

It would be an absolute shame to undermine the effectiveness of drug
testing as a strategy for deterrence in our schools simply because some
local critics cite a lack of acceptable research. Personally, I do not need
a researcher in California, New York, Florida (or anywhere else for that
matter) to validate what I have seen with my own two eyes over the past 16
years in the substance abuse field.

Local school boards should not be sidetracked or intimidated by those who
have no practical "real world" experience in drug testing and/or substance
abuse prevention.

The first question that must be asked of any such critic must be, "How many
drug tests have you personally administered or supervised?" Without an
experience base, the debate is purely academic but of little practical
value in formulating school policy.