Drug Free Australia is disappointed in the quality of the latest ANCD report on Drug Testing in Schools, and finds it lacking on several counts.

“It is unfortunate that this report creates the impression that drug testing in schools must necessarily be punitive and draconian in nature. It is also disappointing that it sends a message that this is the ONLY measure that schools would be able to take”, said Drug Free Australia Chair, Craig Thompson.

“On the contrary there is evidence now available that demonstrates successful non-punitive models of drug testing in the United States. These models make it clear that drug testing is only one of several ways in which schools manage drug related issues amongst students.

Specifically we are concerned about the report on the following grounds:

Firstly, the claim that drug use is declining amongst secondary school students is made by referring to only one statistical report (ASSAD, 2005). Since that time we have strong evidence to suggest that (a) age of initial uptake of drugs is getting younger (b) ICE or Methamphetamines has increased greatly in the last 3-4 years and (c) that cannabis is now linked to mental health issues including psychosis and schizophrenia.

The United Nations World Drug Report 2007 still shows Australia to be leading the OECD in per capita illicit drug use - 15-64 year olds

The 2008 International Narcotics Control Board (UN) Annual Report, (p.103) cites Oceana, and particularly Australia, as vulnerable to the trafficking of ATS precursor substances for use in clandestine laboratories.

Secondly there is a dearth accurate reporting of current evidence about school drug testing from overseas.  For example, in the United States there are numerous non-punitive models – (now over 1200 schools) from a wide range of demographic regions such as Florida, Texas, California, New Jersey and in Washington DC (to mention a few). Schools are embarking on drug testing as an EARLY intervention component of their overall drug strategy – and the feedback is that it is working. In fact, schools in the toughest areas are reporting success in reducing drug use. In January this year it was announced that the US Federal Government is establishing a fully funded research Institute in Washington to monitor trends as a result of this imitative. The critical success factor in this model is that parents AND students together support the idea of random testing – most of whom feel that it genuinely legitimises ways for them to decline peer pressure around drug use.
 

Thirdly – the report questions the accuracy of testing. Drug Free Australia’s research (through the Institute of Behavior and Health, Washington DC) indicates that testing has now reached a stage of high accuracy levels. Former Drug Tsar, Dr Robert DuPont, now Director of the Institute, totally supports the accuracy of the types of tests carried out in US schools. Drug Free Australia is concerned that the ANCD report has not included this latest information from a group who have worked on drug testing in a range of contexts for over 20 years.

Fourthly – Costs of testing – the figures quoted in the report seem somewhat inflated, given that in the United States the Federal Government has provided $36.1 million in multi-year funding to 80 school districts. Our states find the funding for RBT and some also do roadside drug testing. Many workplaces choose to do drug testing to ensure a safe working environment. High costs or lack of funds do not seem to prevent these practices.

‘Drug Free Australia believes that it would be extremely unfortunate if this report resulted in prohibiting drug testing in schools where drug issues are problematic. Based on successful models in the United States, we see it as one of a number of preventative measures that could be open to them’, said Mr Thompson.