Pubdate: Thu, 29 Nov 2007 Source: Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) Copyright: 2007 The Times Leader Contact: http://www.timesleader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/933 Author: Kirk Muse Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1331/a03.html DRUG TESTS COULD HAVE UNINTENDED RESULTS I'm writing about the article "GNA random drug testing policy gets initial approval," published on Nov. 16 in The Times Leader. As the parent of a 16-year-old, ideally my son will never use any illegal drugs. However, if he does use an illegal drug, I would hope it's marijuana and only marijuana. Drug testing discourages this because marijuana is fat-soluble. As a result, marijuana stays in a person's system for up to several weeks. On the other hand, drugs like meth, cocaine and heroin exit the body within a few days because they are water-soluble. Drug testing discourages marijuana use and encourages use of much more dangerous drugs such as meth, cocaine and heroin. Would you want your children experimenting with meth or heroin instead of marijuana? Meth and heroin can and do kill. Marijuana does not. Meth, cocaine and heroin are highly addictive. Marijuana is not. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom