Drug testing in order to participate in sports has not changed the rate of illegal drug use, says a study conducted by University of Pennsylvania Annenberg Public Policy Center.
The findings of the study will be published in the January 13, 2014 issue of Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
Dr. Daniel Romer, author of the study, interviewed 361 students. According to Examiner.com, 33 percent of the children interviewed said that their school had a drug testing policy, but it did not make them any less likely to try drugs, smoking or alcohol.
According to the Doctors Lounge, students who had more positive environments and better relationships with teachers at school were less likely to partake in these activities. It did not, however, seem to effect the rate of students who were drinking.
Students that were involved in sports were less likely to use illegal drugs, however, the study found that 66 percent of high school students try alcohol before they are of age. The rates of children that did drugs and alcohol or said they would try it were 15 to 20 percent lower in schools where the rules were strictly enforced.
"Even though drug testing sounds good, based on the science, it's not working," said Romer.