Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of adolescence |
Editors | Roger JR Levesque |
Publisher | Springer Science + Business Media |
Pages | 1-8 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Edition | 2nd |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2016 |
Abstract
Adolescent substance use is a major public health concern and schools have been identified as promising sites for prevention efforts. Among various school-based substance use prevention programs, mandatory random drug testing (MRDT) stands out as particularly controversial. In this entry, we explain the rationale for MRDT, and we summarize studies that have examined its effectiveness. Considering the weak evidence base for the effectiveness of MRDT, we also discuss alternative and potentially more promising school-based prevention methods.