To the Editor:

I read with dismay that the Jackson County school system was planning to waste more money on drug testing students. Not only is this a waste of money, it detracts from efforts that could actually provide benefits to students with substance-related problems.

During the past 35 years my career has included evaluating addiction programs, designing surveys to monitor prevalence of various behavioral health issues, and critically considering the scientific literature on prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.

I know of no credible evidence that drug testing high school students achieves any substantial benefits, such as reducing the prevalence of use. This is especially true when the policy is to test only those students with the least likelihood of having a serious problem. Athletes and students in other extracurricular activities are probably the least likely to have a problem with substances. If you want to find the students with a real problem, a better strategy would be to test those with unexcused absences and/or other behavioral issues.

Jackson County has spent almost $2,000 per positive drug test toward what end? Were any of the positive cases evaluated by a qualified addiction professional to determine if the positive test was related to a serious problem or just casual use? If the school system plans to spend more than the $9,000 it has already budgeted on drug issues, it would be advised to spend it on contracting with qualified professionals to evaluate students with absences, behavioral issues, or low grades.

If they want to get ahead of the game with regard to drugs, start taking a close look at students in middle school who smoke. Nicotine is the real gateway drug. We have found that students who start smoking cigarettes or using smokeless tobacco early in middle school are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs in high school. They are also more likely to have unexcused absences and low grades. A proactive strategy for identifying at risk students and implementing appropriate strategies and interventions is more likely to yield positive results.

Drug issues, like all complex problems, have no simple answers. Based on the evidence, the people who benefit most from drug testing students are the people who sell and analyze the tests – not the students.

Norman G. Hoffmann, Ph.D.

President, Evince Clinical Assessments

Waynesville