Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jul 2000
Date: 07/28/2000
Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH)
Author: Robert Sharpety

Friday, July 28, 2000 The Dublin City School District might have
wanted to educate itself on the limitations of drug testing before
imposing the unconstitutional measure on student athletes.

Drug-testing profiteers are quick to list the many drugs tested for
but are loath to reveal the efficacy of urine tests.

Urinalysis is actually counterproductive for keeping students off
drugs, at least in terms of the relative dangers of different drugs.

Only one drug stays in the human body long enough to make urinalysis a
deterrent.

That drug is marijuana, and the reason its metabolites linger beyond a
few days is because they are fat-soluble. Harder drugs, such as heroin
and Ecstasy, are water-soluble and exit the human body within 48
hours; sooner if the user chooses to flush his or her system with water.

If one thinks students don't know this, think again.

Anyone capable of searching the Internet can find out how to thwart a
drug test. Why is this relevant?

Because the growing use of heroin in America is, in part, a result of
drug testing.

A student who takes a potentially deadly drug such as heroin on Friday
night will test clean on Monday morning.

The same applies to Ecstasy or crack.

Ironically, the least dangerous recreational drug is the only one
whose use is discouraged by testing.

Finally, the most commonly abused drug and the one most often
associated with violent behavior is almost impossible to detect with
urinalysis. That drug is alcohol, and it takes far more student lives
every year than all other drugs combined.

Robert Sharpe, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, George Washington
University