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From: Robert Swotinsky MD
Password: orange
Date: 21 Aug 2009
Time: 12:38:59 -0700
Remote Name: 68.184.42.162
The question posted here says the estimated specificity of EtG is 98%. This implies that 2% of the positive EtG results are NOT actually EtG. Please explain the source of this 98% figure. My understanding is that the lab tests are more accurate than this, but perhaps you have data that I do not.
I have no technical or scientific problems with the test and the cutoff. I do think it's a nutty policy because kids should be encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and I don't "get" the connection between extracurricular activities and discouraging underage drinking. Let's hope the school has enough Mormon students to field a football team. But, even more important, What is the purpose of this school's policy of refusing participation in extracurricular activities to kids who have consumed alcohol? How does this help the kids? As a parent, if I had a teenager who I thought was drinking alcohol, I might send him to counseling (maybe he's depressed), I might take away privileges at home, I might try to redirect his energy into more productive things -- like extracurricular activities. Isolating him or her from school activities doesn't seem to me a viable means of discouraging underage drinking.