Pubdate: Sat, 10 Mar 2001
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Copyright: 2001 Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  400 W. Colfax, Denver, CO 80204
Feedback: http://cfapps.insidedenver.com/opinion/
Website: http://www.denver-rmn.com/
Author: Kimberly Johnson

DRUG SEARCHES WON'T INSPIRE TEENS' TRUST

In response to the decision that Boulder parents reached about having 
dogs sniffing out drugs in student lockers, I am somewhat 
disappointed in the naivete of the parents.

If you want teens to come to you, the adults, for advice or to tell 
you their troubles, forcing drug searches upon them will not inspire 
in them any new-found trust.

Also, why focus on drug dealing in schools? It is hardly going to 
stop kids from recreational drug use. The problem is not dealing, but 
lack of education.

Parents took one look at this new drug, Ecstasy, and went into a 
frenzy. There is no explanation of why not to do drugs, but just a 
stern, "Didn't you see the news? A girl died from this." I'll let you 
in on a secret: the girl didn't die because of the drug, but because 
of lack of education. No one told her, not her parents nor her 
friends, that she could overhydrate herself. Maybe if kids were 
taught the good and bad about drug use, they could make the decision 
soundly, by themselves.

Kimberly Johnson

Denver
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