Teenage drug abuse has dropped slightly in recent years, but the rate is still high — 54 percent of American kids use an illegal drug before high school graduation. The problem is compounded by the rising popularity of potentially lethal drugs like Ecstasy and GBH — the “date-rape” drug. Some experts say the answer is random drug testing and zero-tolerance policies in schools. Others argue that such “get-tough” techniques don't work, while trampling students' civil rights. To add to the controversy, some studies show that the popular, school-based DARE prevention program, with its message of strict abstinence, is ineffective. Meanwhile, President Bush has won praise for a new drug initiative that puts more emphasis on treatment and prevention.

David Masci specializes in social policy, religion and foreign affairs. Before joining CQ Researcher as a staff writer in 1996, he was a reporter at CQ's Daily Monitor and CQ Weekly. He holds a BA in medieval history from Syracuse University and a law degree from The George Washington University.