Pubdate: Wed, 04 Apr 2001
Source: Shawnee News-Star (OK)
Copyright: 2001 The Shawnee News-Star
Contact:  http://www.onlineshawnee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/412
Author: Peter Blochowiak Jr.

DRUG TESTS NEEDED

To the Editor,

The judges of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals would best be 
represented by the three monkeys "See no evil," "Hear no evil" and "Speak 
no evil."

Regularly, we hear on the evening news about the tons -- yes, tons -- of 
drugs seized by customs agents at our borders and ports. This is only a 
minute fraction of the drugs that make it into the country every day. This 
alone should tell the judges that there is a problem in this country, yet 
they say the policy "..simply tests the wrong students."

When Tinker started their random drug testing program some years ago I made 
the statement that I knew of no one in my organization who would be a drug 
user. A drinker perhaps, but not drugs.

Man! Was I wrong! People I never dreamed would use anything stronger than 
Coors Light were failing their drug tests. You never know who the "right" 
people are until you start randomly testing everyone. Most people have no 
problem with it. The people of Tecumseh, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of 
Appeals and the ACLU should have been proud of the Tecumseh School Board 
for doing something to make sure the schools are drug-free and free of 
those who use drugs and jeopardize everyone around them and, at the same 
time, offer suggestions as how to make the policy "Constitutional."

This is what the majority of the people want. To test only athletes and 
those dedicated to extra-curricular activities like agriculture, choir, 
band etc. is testing the "wrong" students. No drug testing policy is 
complete unless it includes everyone from the administrators down to the 
kids in kindergarten, volunteers, substitute teachers and "common" 
students. Everyone!

To the administrators and school board of Tecumseh Schools I say: Keep up 
the fight against drugs and don't give up on your plans for a random drug 
testing policy. Good kids should not have to be around drugs or those who 
use them while in our schools or any where else.

Peter Blochowiak Jr.
Shawnee
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