PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Random drug and alcohol testing does not reliably act as a deterrent for U.S. student athletes, a study found.
Oregon Health & Science University researchers report the mere presence of drug testing increases some risk factors for future substance use.
The two-year study was conducted in 11 high schools in Oregon that were randomly assigned to one of two study groups: schools that designed and implemented a drug and alcohol testing policy; and schools that had designed a policy but agreed to defer their drug testing until the study had concluded.
The study, published in the November issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health, found drug and alcohol use during the month leading up to the test did not differ among student-athletes at schools with drug and alcohol testing and those with no drug and alcohol testing at any time point.
However, researchers at the university, in Portland, Ore., also found athletes at schools with drug and alcohol testing felt less athletically competent, perceived school authorities were less opposed to drug use, and believed less in the benefits of drug testing.
