Pubdate: Mon, 01 Jul 2002
Source: Christian Science Monitor (US)
Copyright: 2002 The Christian Science Publishing Society
Contact:  http://www.csmonitor.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/83
Authors: Robert Sharpe, David T. Wilkinson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1182/a02.html

DRUG TESTING IN SCHOOLS IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE

Regarding "Searching children's bodies" (June 28, Editorial): Student 
involvement in extracurricular activities has been proven to reduce drug 
use. Forcing students to undergo degrading urine tests as a prerequisite 
will only discourage such activities. Drug testing may also compel users of 
relatively harmless marijuana to switch to harder drugs to avoid testing 
positive. Marijuana is the only drug that stays in the human body long 
enough to make urinalysis a deterrent. A student who takes Ecstasy, 
cocaine, or heroin on Friday night will test clean on Monday. The most 
commonly abused drug and the one most closely 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 illegal 
drugs combined. Instead of wasting money on counterproductive drug tests, 
schools should invest in reality-based drug education.

Robert Sharpe

Washington

Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance

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In the Oklahoma case, 500 students were tested, yielding three positive 
results. Was it really worth $12,500 (at $25 a student) to identify three 
pot-smoking teenagers? What about the other 497 students, forced to perform 
one of the most personal acts under observation by strangers? Is this a 
positive experience for insecure adolescents?

David T. Wilkinson

Plymouth, Mass.
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