Pubdate: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 Source: Columbia Daily Herald (TN) Website: http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/ Address: 1115 South Main Street, Columbia, TN 38401 Contact: http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/Sound_Off/ Copyright: 2002 Columbia Daily Herald Author: Michael D. Greene Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1771/a05.html CHILDREN'S WELFARE NOT FOCUS OF PRO-LEGALIZATION ACTIVISTS I have read with interest the letters concerning Columbia Academy's current policy of random drug testing of all students. The last letter from Mr. Stephen Heath of Clearwater, Fla., gave me pause. At first I wondered why Mr. Heath would be interested in the policies of a small Middle Tennessee school hundreds of miles away. A visit to the web site of Drug Policy Forum of Florida of which Mr. Heath is a member, informed me that the note attached to his letter by the editor of the Herald did not tell all the story. I came away from that visit convinced that Mr. Heath and the impressively named Drug Policy Forum of Florida are a part of a movement to legalize the use of marijuana, if not other presently illegal, dangerous, and destructive substances. If that be the case, Mr. Heath has a hidden agenda which colors his thinking in the matter of drug testing of students. He also opines that drug testing is no way to demonstrate personal integrity. He then states his personal conviction that parents should talk to their children about drugs, as he has done with his three teens. I agree that is the best course of action. But to believe that our children do not need confirmation of that message at school and from authorities reflects a serious misunderstanding of young people. What better way to confirm that message than to say to the child we do not condone that use, and we will not allow that use on our campus, and then back that up with action holding the child responsible to the rules and law? He then equates random drug testing with child abuse. I hardly call abuse something that might save one or more from a ruined life of seeking the next fix. The leaders of Columbia Academy have stated that punishment is not the goal of their drug testing, but rather getting the student help with his problem. Talk to any recovering addict about whether or not he would have wanted someone or something to intercept him as he made his first steps down a road to misery. As the parent of two boys who have graduated from Columbia Academy, I applaud their actions in support of my teaching of the evils of drug use. I am aware that the faculty of Columbia Academy discusses drug use and abuse with their students on every occasion that presents itself. The DARE program is alive on the campus. They are doing their best to reinforce the parental instruction and warnings about drug use. I know for a fact the school does not hide its policy on drug testing. They need not be ashamed of it. It helped confirm my decisionto enroll my children. I knew then that I had an ally in helping my children make a good choice when it came to illegal, dangerous, and damaging drug use. I knew that they were serious about providing a drug free learning environment for my child. Of course, to one who thinks drugs (at least marijuana) ought to be legalized, none of this will be convincing. But to those who share the common sense, informed, and rational conclusion that we need to do all we can to keep our children away from drugs, maybe it will ring true. Michael D. Greene, Columbia - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens