Most High School Kids are Clean and Want to Prove it

The student body took it upon themselves to test each other for alcohol and drug use? Sounds like a drinking game high schoolers would play using a breathalyzer at a party and not within the walls of their high school with a student nurse or counselor near by.
 
What is remarkable is the recent attention that has been drawn to drug and alcohol high school testing. The state Supreme Court recently ruled unanimously that mandatory drug testing of students is unconstitutional. Random drug testing of athletes, including the rest of the student body violates the privacy clause of the state constitution. So the previous random testing during the 2006-07’ year that was going on at other high schools has been scrapped.
 
Just because there is a couple bad apples in the group doesn’t mean the entire crop is bad. Students know this and they are eager to prove they are clean. What is more powerful than a “mandatory test” given by the state? A test backed by peer pressure.
 
A high school in Washington State attempted a two-year voluntary program but only received a 65 percent participation rate and those were only students in extra curricular activities. Although the turn out was low, a noticeable decline of alcohol and drug use could be detected.
 
Although the Supreme Court ruling is a set back for schools who are attempting to help students, reduce crime or improve a school’s image, the fight is far from over and concerned students, teachers, district heads and counselors are looking into alternatives. What ways could students encourage other students to participate in an all volunteer drug and alcohol testing program? Perhaps “how” students are tested will make the difference.
 
Previously, urine alcohol testing and swab testing were used to quickly test whether or not a student was using alcohol or drugs. Now, with new technology, there are other less intrusive ways to test students. The procedure is called Hair Alcohol Testing. It is the least intrusive alcohol high school test on the market. Hair alcohol testing is becoming the new preferred method for testing a person for drugs and alcohol for several reasons including:
 

• Accuracy


• Long term results- revealing a student’s consumption record up to 12 months with just 1 inch of hair!


• Least intrusive method on the market: 1 small inch of scalp hair cut underneath the head


• A trusted and respected method for detecting drugs and alcohol