NJ.com - Drug testing N.J. middle-school students cuts back on future use, study says
3/8/2013
Drug testing N.J. middle-school students cuts back on future use, study says
Drug testing middle-school students makes them less likely to use drugs in the future,according to a 6-year studycarried out by Fairleigh Dickinson University/PublicMind.
The study measured students' attitudes toward drugs and alcohol. It also discussed as their use of drugs and their social contact with drugs and alcohol.
While only a very small number of participants tested positive for drug or alcohol use, the study's findings indicate the mere that carrying out drug tests makes adolescents less likely to use drugs in the future.
It found that while 14 percent of participants drank alcohol by eighth grade, only six percent who were previously tested for drugs or alcohol had done so. Only 1 percent of eight graders admitted to using illegal drugs, the report said.
The participating schools were not disclosed for privacy reasons.
The Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey helped administer the study.
For more on the findings, read the FDU MIndPoll report.
Jeff Goldman contributed to this report.