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

 
Star-Ledger StaffBy Star-Ledger Staff 
on March 08, 2013 at 10:08 AM, updated March 08, 2013 at 11:45 AM
 
 
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drugs.jpgA young woman smokes marijuana in this 2011 file photo. 

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.

Do you think drug testing discourages kids from using drugs? (Poll Closed)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Votes: 233
 
About 3,500 middle and high school students took part in the study, which was conducted at New Jersey schools both with and without random drug testing programs.

 

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.