In Depth:

School officials say the voluntary drug testing will give students enrolled in the program an excuse to turn down drugs if they can say they’re fearful of getting caught by their parents — basically an end-around to peer pressure.

In a 2006 San Clemente High School survey with a similar testing program, 33% of students enrolled in the program used the testing as a reason to say no to drugs, Evans said.

While students participating in the program used it as an excuse, 23% of teens not enrolled also used it as a reason to say no to drugs, she said.

Some Crescenta Valley High students say that the program will be used only by teens who don’t use drugs.

Student Jordan Adajar, 17, said he doesn’t know anyone who is using hard drugs like heroin, which police officials say has become an increasingly popular opiate among youth in the area.

But he acknowledged that if students are using heroin, the voluntary drug testing could help them kick their habits.

“If you are on heroin, you might be addicted to it, and you might not be willing to try and find a solution to get off of it,” Jordan said. “So if there is random drug testing, they can get that and seek help.”

In bringing the program to Crescenta Valley High School, officials said they were hoping it would create an open dialogue between parents and students about substance abuse.

“Our first goal was that every family that got the letter sat down and had a serious conversation with their son or daughter regarding drugs,” Evans said.

But ultimately, school officials and community members say parents play the greatest role in putting a damper on drug use among teens.

“We could do voluntary drug testing,” Krikorian said. “We could bring dogs. We could bring inspections . . . but if the parents aren’t involved in their kids’ lives beyond this, it is going to be a hard fight for us in anything that we do.”