Pubdate: Wed, 15 Feb 2006
Source: Virginia Gazette, The (Williamsburg, VA)
Copyright: 2006 The Virginia Gazette
Contact:  http://www.vagazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3760
Author: Ann Yankovich

DRUG-TESTING PROS & CONS

I add my voice to others that the WJC School Board reject random 
student drug-testing in the local high schools.

As the grandmother of five WJC students, the former coordinator of 
Health Services in WJC Schools for 16 years, and a past president of 
the Virginia Board of Nursing (which deals with many cases of 
addiction by health professionals), I concur with the results of 
national studies that drug-testing is not an effective preventive 
strategy, but is an effective treatment strategy for those with 
problems of addiction.

Why, then, should we subject actively involved, non-using kids to 
urinate in a cup with a witness present? How embarrassing and 
demeaning. The 29 or so kids who do have a problem can be treated 
outside of school hours, and the use of random urine testing for them 
is certainly appropriate and advisable.

Perhaps the role of the schools should continue to be education and 
effective decision-making. The rest of us should take much more 
seriously that we are all role models for the young people of this community.

Ann Yankovich

Williamsburg 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman