REPORT FROM THE TRENCHES: ONDCP STUDENT DRUG TESTING SUMMIT

We must be doing something right.

The minute I arrived at the student drug testing summit in Falls
Church an ONDCP official descended upon me asking, "Are you the
person from DPA?" After shaking off his disingenuous attempt to
engage me in a debate, I proceeded into the summit, found the table
marked "Non-ONDCP approved materials" (they were expecting us) and
laid out our educational materials. Once officials noticed educators
eagerly picking up our booklets, a particularly vicious ONDCP
representative planted herself by the table and made snide comments
as educators approached. The tactic backfired: her comments prompted
one educator to take a large stack of booklets and thank me for
providing an alternative viewpoint.

The ONDCP apparently had not had enough. The next representative who
approached me knew both my name and that I had attended the last
summit in San Diego. He told me it was great to meet me in person
after reading about me (apparently he frequents our web site.) How
bizarre. We must really be throwing a wrench in the ONDCP's show.

Drug Czar John Walters presented opening remarks. He reflected that
this is the 19th or 20th student drug testing summit the ONDCP has
hosted around the country, but insisted that the programs are not
being pushed or mandated from Washington. Walters, along with the
rest of the presenters throughout the day, attempted to dismiss the
only national federally funded study conducted on the subject, which
found no difference in rates of drug use in schools with and without
drug testing programs.

Knowing opposition was present in the audience, throughout the day
presenters were forced to attempt to diffuse our criticism of the
costly, ineffective and humiliating policy. One presenter, Principle
Chris Steffner of New Jersey, admitted that suspending students from
extracurricular activities eliminates the confidentiality promised in
the programs, and conveyed the message that humiliation might be what
young people need.

Throughout the day DPA members and staff from Students for Sensible
Drug Policy and NORML did an excellent job of keeping presenters on
their toes and keeping their deceptions in check. I spoke to a
number of educators who expressed dissatisfaction with the one-sided
information throughout the day, and were grateful for the opportunity
to hear the other side of the story.