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.
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.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9658-2
- Authors
- Sharon R. Sznitman, School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Eshkol Tower, 31905 Haifa, Israel
- Sally M. Dunlop, School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building, A27, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Priya Nalkur, The Heller School of Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02454-9110, USA
- Atika Khurana, Annenberg Public Policy Centre, Adolescent Communication Institute, University of Pennsylvania, 202 S. 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3806, USA
- Daniel Romer, Annenberg Public Policy Centre, Adolescent Communication Institute, University of Pennsylvania, 202 S. 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3806, USA
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891