Cost of Drug Testing for Schools in the US

"Drug testing, particularly on a per student basis, can be relatively costly for schools. The cost of drug tests ranges depending on the quality of the test. A standard drug test used in some high schools can range from $14 to $30 per test (Volpert & Tremaine, 1997). A standard drug test detects marijuana, tobacco, cocaine, heroin, opiates, amphetamines, barbiturates, and tranquilizers. These tests are able to detect the presence of drugs from within a few days of use to as long as a week or more, depending on the drug in question (Bailey, 1998). A drug test for steroid use costs $100 per test, and a drug test that meets the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) standards for accuracy costs over $200 per test (Volpert & Tremaine, 1997). Alcohol is usually not detected by standard urine drug tests, because it leaves the body quickly; hence, it must be detected with a Breathalyzer test shortly after consumption."