Student Drug Testing in the Context of Positive and Negative School Climates: Results from a National Survey

Abstract

Positive school climates and student drug testing have been separately proposed as strategies to reduce student substance use in high schools. However, the effects of drug testing programs may depend on the favorability of school climates. This study examined the association between school drug testing programs and student substance use in schools with different climates. The analysis was based on a nationally representative sample of 943 high school students (48% female) ranging from 14 to 19 years of age (62% identifying as white, 18% Hispanic, 13% African American, and 7% in other categories). Results showed that both male and female students in schools with positive climates reported lower levels of personal substance use. Drug testing was associated with lower levels of personal substance use in positive school climates, but only for female students. There was no relationship between drug testing and male students' substance use. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of considering school climates before implementing drug-testing programs in high schools.

Emerging Scholar Best Article Award, 2013

“…In contrast, she found differences for overweight adolescents between the type of substance use and disordered eating behavior. Sznitman et al (2012) presented the results of a nationally representative sample of 943 high school student survey of student drug testing and the effects of school climates. The results of her study revealed that both male and female students in schools with positive climates reported lower levels of personal substance use.…”

Middle and High School Drug Testing and Student Illicit Drug Use: A National Study 1998–2011

“…Of the significant literature contributions previously noted,(1,6–11) only one study examined associations separately for marijuana and other illicit drugs. (10,11).…”

“…Those early findings were replicated in the current study and found to be significant with inclusion of 14 years of data. Literature on SDT efficacy generally indicates little association with illicit drug use among the general population(1,6–7,9) with some evidence for targeted student populations(7–9) for marijuana alone or in combination with other illicit drugs. In the current study, the higher predicted probabilities of OTM use associated with having various types of SDT were modest—ranging from 1 to 2 percentage points across high school SDT types and population groups, compared with a modest 3 to 4 percentage point reduction in high school marijuana use.…”

“…(1) A recent national survey found SDT effects were conditioned on school climate and student gender. (6) An experimental evaluation found significantly lower use of the specific substances tested for among students in treatment schools compared to students in control schools, but no significant differences in overall substance use. (7) Random athlete SDT was not associated with past 30-day student athlete substance use in a separate randomized controlled study, but some evidence was found for reduced past-year use.…”

Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Middle School

“…Similarly, a number of alcohol and drug interventions have targeted the school climate and generally been equally effective for both boys and girls (Oelsner et al, 2011; Sznitman, Dunlop, Nalkur, Khurana, & Romer, 2011). In the present study, several two-way interactions between peer victimization and supportive social relationships were identified.…”