Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 Source: Ledger, The (Lakeland, FL) Copyright: 2009 The Ledger Contact: http://www.theledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n704/a09.html Author: Robert Sharpe CONSEQUENCE: STUDENT DRUG TESTS The increase in prescription-drug overdose deaths is part of nationwide trend. Federally funded school drug tests are part of the problem. Marijuana is the only drug that stays in the human body long enough to make urinalysis a deterrent. Students know this. Anyone capable of an Internet search can find out how to thwart a drug test. Drug tests may compel marijuana smokers to switch to harder drugs. This is one of the reasons the American Academy of Pediatrics opposes student drug testing. While culture warriors in Congress obsess over nonlethal marijuana, prescription-drug-overdose deaths are skyrocketing. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, prescription-drug overdose is now second only to motor-vehicle crashes as a cause of death from unintentional injury in the United States. The phrase "if it saves one life" has been used to justify all manner of drug-war intrusions. Eliminating drug tests that encourage the use the deadly prescription drugs has the potential to save thousands of lives. Robert Sharpe, MPA Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake