Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jan 2004
Source: Narragansett Times (RI)
Copyright: 2004 Narragansett Times
Contact:  http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1714
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2683
Author: Tom Angell

DOGS IN SCHOOLS: NO WAY TO HANDLE DRUG PROBLEM

To the Editor:

I'm deeply troubled by the announcement that random drug searches will
be conducted in Narragansett High School.

For our education system to work most effectively there needs to be an
atmosphere of trust between students and school officials.  The
proposed searches undermine the hard work and dedication that our
teachers put in every day by sending the message that students can't
be trusted.

The fact that these searches are even being proposed signals that the
way we deal with drugs in this country is flawed.  We've failed to
provide our youth with effective drug education. DARE and scare
tactics haven't shown our children how to avoid the dangers of drugs.
Rather than conduct these searches, a better strategy would be to
invest some time and money into real and honest drug education programs.

We're pushing our children away.  If we dealt with these problems in a
more realistic manner, we could build the atmosphere of trust that we
need. If we don't provide an environment where our young people can
trust us, then how can we expect to trust them?

School officials should take the lead in building that trust both
ways.

Sincerely,

Tom Angell

National Board of Directors, Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Co-President, URI Students for Sensible Drug Policy

www.ssdp.org

Saunderstown
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake