Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 Source: Oregonian, The (OR) Copyright: 2002 The Oregonian Contact: http://www.oregonlive.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324 Author: Richard E. Bayer, MD Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) DRUG WAR LACKS COMMON SENSE The July 18 article "Adult warnings about drugs curb teen use, study shows" says that drug use is cut in half among students who participate in extracurricular school programs. Common sense says Americans should want students to participate in such programs. Sadly, there is no common sense in America's war on drugs. The U.S. Supreme Court now says it is OK to randomly humiliate students by making them urinate in a cup to be tested for drugs to join the band or chess club. It is medically immoral to create more barriers to extracurricular activities when we acknowledge these activities are effective prevention. The logical conclusion is that this war has little to do with helping youth avoid drugs and everything to do with identifying and ostracizing those considered politically incorrect. Instead of drug tests and arrests, Americans need improved access to treatment and more effective prevention methods, including extracurricular school programs. RICHARD E. BAYER, M.D. Southwest Portland - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl