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
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