Pubdate: Wed, 11 May 2005
Source: Outer Banks Sentinel (NC)
Copyright: 2005 The Outer Banks Sentinel
Contact:  http://obsentinel.womacknewspapers.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3769
Author: Stephen Heath
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

HEATH - JUST SAY NO

To the editor:

As a father of two high school teenagers, I read the discussion about 
possible random drug testing of students in Dare County with great interest.

My question - why test at all?  University of Michigan researchers 
concluded drug testing does not deter student drug use. The research, 
published in the Journal of School Health, culled data from surveys of 
students in 722 secondary schools across the nation from 1998 to 2001. They 
found students' drug use in testing schools and nontesting schools were 
"virtually identical."

As for those parents and school faculty who endorse such a policy, theirs 
should be the first pants unzipped.  After all, if  a urine sample is 
necessary to prove personal integrity, they should lead by example.

While giving their own sample, these parents and faculty should prop a 
mirror in front of themselves so that they can watch how ridiculous, stupid 
and degrading it is to prove your purity in such a manner.

Another person must be present when the specimen is offered.  Better yet, 
have a neighbor they don't know very well do the monitoring. This more 
accurately recreates the scene which will be asked of teens.

Our kids need to know the dangers related to drug abuse.  This information 
should come from parents and educators. In neither case will that 
information be more openly received if a full urine cup is a prerequisite 
to honest communication.

Parents who disagree with coerced drug testing of their teens need to speak 
up and tell the schools to Just Say No.

STEPHEN HEATH

Public Relations Director

Drug Policy Forum of Florida

Clearwater FL 
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MAP posted-by: Beth