We must be doing something right.

The minute I arrived at the student drug testing summit in Falls Church an ONDCP official descended upon me asking, "Are you the person from DPA?" After shaking off his disingenuous attempt to engage me in a debate, I proceeded into the summit, found the table marked "Non-ONDCP approved materials" (they were expecting us) and laid out our educational materials. Once officials noticed educators eagerly picking up our booklets, a particularly vicious ONDCP representative planted herself by the table and made snide comments as educators approached. The tactic backfired: her comments prompted one educator to take a large stack of booklets and thank me for providing an alternative viewpoint.

The ONDCP apparently had not had enough. The next representative who approached me knew both my name and that I had attended the last summit in San Diego. He told me it was great to meet me in person after reading about me (apparently he frequents our web site.) How bizarre. We must really be throwing a wrench in the ONDCP's show.

Drug Czar John Walters presented opening remarks. He reflected that this is the 19th or 20th student drug testing summit the ONDCP has hosted around the country, but insisted that the programs are not being pushed or mandated from Washington. Walters, along with the rest of the presenters throughout the day, attempted to dismiss the only national federally funded study conducted on the subject, which found no difference in rates of drug use in schools with and without drug testing programs.

Knowing opposition was present in the audience, throughout the day presenters were forced to attempt to diffuse our criticism of the costly, ineffective and humiliating policy. One presenter, Principle Chris Steffner of New Jersey, admitted that suspending students from extracurricular activities eliminates the confidentiality promised in the programs, and conveyed the message that humiliation might be what young people need.

Throughout the day DPA members and staff from Students for Sensible Drug Policy and NORML did an excellent job of keeping presenters on their toes and keeping their deceptions in check. I spoke to a number of educators who expressed dissatisfaction with the one-sided information throughout the day, and were grateful for the opportunity to hear the other side of the story.

Tags: Drug Testing, ONDCP.