Written Testimony of Amy J. Taylor
Director of Government Relations
Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA)
Building A More Effective Safe and Drug-Free
Schools and Communities Program
Submitted to the
House Subcommittee On Early Childhood,
Youth and Families
On Behalf of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA), I am submitting this written testimony in support of Federal initiatives to “Build More Effective Safe and Drug-Free Schools.” DATIA continues to be highly supportive of any measure by Congress that targets schools in an effort to curb drug and alcohol use by children and strongly believes that drug and alcohol testing is an important component of any “Drug-Free” school effort. DATIA is the largest trade association, over 1,000 members, representing the drug and alcohol testing industry. Members include collection sites, third party administrators (TPAs), consortiums, substance abuse professionals (SAPs), medical review officers (MROs), laboratories and equipment suppliers and manufacturers.
Drug and Alcohol Testing Key Component of Drug-Free Schools
Drug and alcohol testing programs are a key component complementing prevention programs to ensure drug and alcohol free schools. The testing component coupled with the educational prevention programs ensures the safety, academic success, and psychological growth of students. Drug and alcohol testing is an effective indicator of the success educational prevention programs because these testing programs positively identify students with drug and alcohol problems. This ensures that students receive additional counseling and substance abuse assistance. Without the testing component, schools are unable to positively identify the students who are using drugs and these students may not receive the assistance they need.
Alcohol Testing in Schools Must Be Addressed
Although illegal drug abuse is a big problem in America's schools, alcohol plays a greater role in contributing to the destructive behavior of students. Most
student substance abuse studies indicate that alcohol is a greater problem than drugs, yet there is less effort by school administrators to test for alcohol than for drugs. Alcohol is much more accessible to students; therefore students are more likely to use alcohol than drugs. Efforts by schools to address alcohol problems need to be increased to meet the alcohol use by students.
Cost of Drug Testing Programs
Cost can be a barrier to schools adopting drug-testing programs, however urine-based drug testing costs average less than $25 per student, and depending on the volume, that price could dramatically decrease. In addition, on-site urine testing can also be cost-effective solution to school-based drug testing. The technology and science behind on-site urine testing has been accepted by the Food and Drug Administration and is being considered by the Department of Health and Human Services for use in mandated drug-testing. Breath and saliva alcohol testing devises are also very accurate and low in cost. When considering drug and alcohol testing in schools, the cost of the program needs to be heavily considered tests are at the highest level possible, training for collectors and use of custody and control documentation should be mandatory.
Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Testing Reduces Student Substance Abuse
Most school substance abuse studies show that prevention and testing programs are working, however, these programs are not widely implemented. Many of America’s schools have not established these programs despite the reported benefits. Congress must set the example by passing and funding comprehensive substance abuse prevention programs. As these programs are implemented in more schools, there will be a marked decrease in student substance abuse problems.
Amy J. Taylor, Director of Government Relations
Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA)
