Editorial: Just say “no” to drug testing in schools

Abstract

Purpose

Aims to assess the merits of random drug testing in UK schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Outlines the arguments for and against drug testing and draws on evidence from studies in the USA that seek to determine whether young people are deterred from using drugs by random drug testing.

Findings

Both theory and practice suggest that drug testing in schools will not prevent or delay drug use in the UK.

Originality/value

The balance of the argument is against drug testing in schools, and will remain so until evidence suggests otherwise.

Citation

McWhirter, J. (2005), "Editorial: Just say “no” to drug testing in schools", Health Education, Vol. 105 No. 2, pp. 85-88. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280510584535