EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The overall program goal of the School-Based Student Drug Testing Program is to deter young people from drug use, while simultaneously identifying those who have initiated drug use for early intervention, and those with a dependence on drugs for treatment. The working title for the project is Take The L.E.A.D. (equipping high school students with the critical tools necessary for success in Leadership, Education, Achievement and a Drug-Free Lifestyle). Take The LEAD will provide random drug testing, prevention services, and intervention services. In addition, Take The LEAD will offer student assistance services, community referrals, health screenings, counseling services, college readiness programs, and tutorial services. Take The LEAD is housed at Finney High School. Finney High School has approximately 500 9-12 graders. Finney High School students are predominately African American (98%) and 95% of the students meet the federal guidelines for free and/or reduced lunch. The target population includes: students who participate in the school's athletic program, students who are engaged in extracurricular activities, and students who volunteer for the drug-testing program.

Initial project activities (September-January 2009) focused on acquiring approval for the school-based random drug testing policy from The Detroit Public School Board. Although there was consistent support among School Board Members for the concept and the project that dates back to the grant writing process, it was a challenge to move the random drug testing policy vote on the School Board's very busy agenda. Additional first quarter activities included the hiring and training of key staff members, trust and communication building with school personnel, and coalition building with key community leaders and organizations.

An evidence based-tool, the PRIDE Survey, was administered to capture baseline data in February 2009. The PRIDE Survey is designed to identify the levels of risk and protective factors that predict problem behaviors such as alcohol, marijuana and other drug use, poor school achievement, and delinquency. In addition to measuring risk and protective factors, the PRIDE Survey also measures the actual prevalence of drug use, violence and other antisocial behaviors among the students surveyed. The PRIDE Survey addresses the GPRA measures including the appropriate time reference points (past-month, past-year). A summative evaluation tool will be administered to Take The LEAD participants in June 2009. This survey will also capture GPRA measures and include the appropriate time reference points.
Random drug testing is underway. In addition to the actual drug testing policy, detailed drug testing procedures were created in collaboration with school and community partners. Data from the first random drug test indicates that 100% of students screened tested negative for alcohol and marijuana, cocaine, barbiturates and opiates.

Preliminary outcome data indicates that approximately 24% of the target population surveyed reported alcohol use in the past month and 20% of the target population surveyed reported marijuana use in the past month. The data also indicates students in the target population who reported drug use, use alcohol occasionally and marijuana more frequently. Survey data illustrates that ninth graders tend to use alcohol more frequently than 10-12 graders. Marijuana use was consistent among 9-12 graders that completed the survey. This project will provide key data regarding the accuracy of protective factors as predictors of alcohol, marijuana and other drug use, poor school achievement, and delinquency for this target population. The project will also determine the important of key prevention, intervention, and support services for this target population.