Random Drug Testing Would Meet Fierce Opposition October 23, 2006
Reader Letters
Dear Editor,
Roger Morgan's proposal for state governments to mandate random, suspicionless drug testing in all middle and high schools would meet fierce opposition in his home state of California (October 19, 2006, "Drug Czar's Leadership, Testing Would Save Money, Improve Anti-Drug Fight"). In 2004 the million member California State Parent Teachers Association supported a proposed ban on random, suspicionless student drug testing because the programs break down relationships of trust between students and adults, damaging an essential characteristic of a safe and rewarding learning environment, and hindering open communication.
While Morgan asserts -- without supporting evidence -- that random drug testing has a proven history of success, the best available research does not support the use of student drug testing programs. The largest study conducted on the topic compared 94,000 students in 900 American schools with and without drug testing programs, and found no difference in illegal drug use. Morgan promises billions of dollars in state savings, but the plan would simply waste millions of taxpayer dollars on a counterproductive, ineffective and costly program. Young people deserve more.
Jennifer Kern
Research Associate
Drug Policy Alliance - Office of Legal Affairs
819 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 229-5211
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Boston University School of Public Health 
