Student Drug-Testing Institute National Presentations Underway

SILVER SPRING, MD—This month, SEI’s Student Drug-Testing Institute (SDTI) project and research staff attended two national meetings and conferences to present information about the importance of student drug testing. Staff attended the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) meeting on December 5 and the National Athletic Directors’ Conference (NADC) from December 12 to December 14.

SDTI staff were joined by Principal Susan Ortner and Board of Education members Jeff Tharp and Kris Camblin from the Holyoke School District in Holyoke, Colorado, at the December 5 CASB meeting. The presentation focused on general guidelines for student drug testing developed by the SDTI and the federal government. Representatives from the Holyoke School District discussed the experiences of the district in developing and implementing their random student drug-testing programs. Along with an exhibit booth, where Institute brochures, pamphlets, and other merchandise were distributed, SDTI staff met with conference attendees about their potential use of student drug-testing programs. While some participants understood the benefits of a random drug-testing program for students, many were unaware that such a program could be utilized by schools as a commitment against underage drug or alcohol use.

During the NADC, SDTI staff met athletic and activities directors, key stakeholders in many extracurricular activities involving students, to spread the message about student drug testing. SDTI staff learned that many directors work in schools where random drug-testing programs are already employed as a tool to deter students from abusing alcohol or other drugs. Many conference attendees expressed an interest in developing a new policy related to student drug testing. The SDTI provided guidance in the form of pamphlets and the Web site and provided SEI’s contact information to all in order to broaden the reach of our technical assistance.

For more information about this project, contact Project Director Kathy Zantal-Wiener at 240-285-1700, ext. 237 or at kzantal-wiener@seiservices.com.