At Carmel Unified School District we believe preventing substance abuse takes a global approach that involves prevention, education and social-emotional support.
Please read below to participate in one of our most effective and highly utilized prevention tools:
What is the Voluntary Random Drug Testing (VRDT) program?
It is an agreement between student and parent.
VRDT is a reason for students to say no to drugs and alcohol.
The testing is district-funded and performed by a private, confidential drug testing company which tests students at school and reports the results to the parents (not the school or district).
What is the purpose of the program?
The program is meant to encourage family conversation about drug and alcohol use.
VRDT gives kids a tool to say "No."
Who participates?
7th-12th graders may voluntarily enroll; both the student and their parent must consent.
During the 2013-2014 school year, over 50% of 8th-12th graders in the district signed up.
How will the tests be done?
Students are randomly selected by a computer program.
The student is called out of class to provide a urine sample in a private bathroom.
The sample is identified by number, not name.
Students may opt out at any time.
If a student refuses to take the test, their parent is notified.
Which drugs are tested?
Alcohol
Marijuana/THC
Amphetamines (Speed)
Barbiturate (Downers)
Benzodiasepines (Valium)
Cocaine
Opiates (Heroin, Codeine)
PCP/Angel Dust
What happens to the results?
The parent is mailed a copy.
Here is an example of what a parent would receive after a negative result.
Here is an example of what a parent would receive after a positive result.
Here is an example of what a parent would receive if the sample is unacceptable.
Here is an example of what a parent would receive if the student does not produce a sample.
If non-negative, the test is double-checked by a lab.
If positive, the family is sent a list of outside counseling agencies.
Results are destroyed after parent notification; there is no permanent record.
The school and district have no knowledge of individual results. There are no school disciplinary consequences.