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SCHOOLS ACROSS THE NATION ADOPT RANDOM STUDENT DRUG TESTING: DRUG CZAR ANNOUNCES SERIES OF SUMMITS

(Washington, D.C.)—The Office of National Drug Control Policy will sponsor four student drug testing regional summits in 2006. The summits are designed to inform community leaders and local school officials about the issues surrounding student drug testing and promote discussion of this issue at a local level. Information will be presented to attendees about existing programs, research, technology, and legal issues related to student drug testing. The summits will be held:

• Orlando, FL on January 19, 2006
• San Diego, CA on February 22, 2006
• Falls Church, VA on March 15, 2006
• Milwaukee, WI on April 25, 2006

"Every week through media reports and communities, we are hearing of more and more schools that have decided to implement random student drug testing into their schools as a positive and powerful drug prevention tool," said John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy. "Fewer programs deliver clearer results in helping youth turn away from the destructive behavior of drug use and addiction. While teen drug use is down 19 percent over the last four years, we must continue to work in our communities, schools, and homes to strengthen prevention programs."

In 2005, ONDCP sponsored eight successful regional summits in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Fresno, Dallas, St. Louis, Portland, and Pittsburgh. The purpose of drug testing is not to punish students who use drugs, but to help those in trouble by preventing drug use and helping drug-using students become drug-free in a confidential manner. The results of a positive drug test should be used to intervene with not-yet-dependent students and get drug-dependent students into effective treatment. After assessing the extent of the problem, parents and administrators can recommend further prevention activities such as education on the negative effects of drugs, counseling, or if necessary, drug treatment.

ONDCP and the U.S. Department of Education announced the release of $7.2 million in Federal grants for schools to implement student drug testing programs in October 2005. Fifty-five grants were awarded to fund random student drug testing programs in 352 schools. The competitive grant program supports schools in the design and implementation of a confidential and non-punitive program to randomly screen selected students and to intervene with assessment, referral, and intervention for students whose test results indicate they have used illicit drugs.

To register and obtain additional information, please visit http://www.cmpinc.net/dts.