Pubdate:  Wed, 3 Feb 1999
Source: San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 1999 San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sanluisobispo.com/
Author: Clive Finchamp, Cambria

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A PROBLEM

To the editor:

Since I am a friend of Barbara Gilston, I am somewhat reluctant to
respond to her letter regarding drug testing. I think think the
problem is free press. What does an editor do, print only the stories
that he or she likes? I don't think that one article will result in
people rushing out and buying these drug kits.

Perhaps drug testing is in fact unconstitutional. If, however, drug
testing is a condition of employment - and one agrees to it - then it
is a private agreement between employee and employer. And that's OK
with me.

I think we are caught up in believing that because Clinton lied,
everyone will lie. Or that because one article is printed about
circumventing drug testing that many will buy the kit and twart the
system.

There is clear and convincing evidence that drug use is declining.
Cocaine use is almost unheard of in the upper middle class
communities. Regarding the other letter on this subject, let's just
say the use of words like "liberal" and "extremist" are negative terms
of the unthinking.

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