Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 Source: State, The (SC) Copyright: 2002 The State Contact: http://www.thestate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/426 Author: WYNDI ANDERSON AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES HELP TROUBLED TEENS The Supreme Court's decision regarding the drug testing of high school students for extracurricular activities will only push children away from activities that could be a lifeline for them. I was a cheerleader in high school who also happened to be an active alcoholic and drug-abuser. I got sober when I was 16, and I have been in recovery now for 15 years. I am afraid to think how much further down my life could have gone if I had been banned from cheerleading or the other extracurricular activities I was involved in. Those activities kept me from withdrawing completely and becoming even more addicted as a result of isolation and increasing depression. It is obvious that the Supreme Court and Oklahoma policy-makers care more about knowing who is using drugs and punishing them than in helping children. This decision will not protect our youth, and the money that will now be spent on costly and intrusive drug-testing should instead go to improving after-school programs for all children, regardless of what drugs they may or may not be taking. WYNDI ANDERSON Charleston - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom