Dear Editor, Anastacia Cosner and Kirk Muse ("High school drug policy needs another look," Sept. 27, and "Marijuana use different than cocaine or meth," Oct. 5) got arrow-splitting bull's-eyes, but there is more to the story. Cannabis (marijuana) prohibition contributes to hard drug addiction because of inherent lies used to perpetuate the farce. One example: cannabis is a relatively safe God-given plant, yet the federal government places it as a Schedule I substance along with heroin, and meth is only a Schedule II substance. [continues 80 words]
Dear Editor, I'm writing about Anastacia Cosner's thoughtful letter, "High school drug policy needs another look," Sept. 27. As the parent of a 16-year-old, I can say that, 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 methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin exit the body within a few days because they are water-soluble. [continues 59 words]
Dear Editor, In the article "Administrators try to keep school safe", there were apparent inconsistencies in the logic behind Camden County High School's tightening of their security on campus to keep students out of danger. All students have a right to feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment. The administration reserves the right to randomly drug test any student suspected of drug use, and a refusal to submit to such a test would be perceived as an admission of guilt. This is a dangerous violation of student privacy and independence. Especially in the case of marijuana, drug tests do not accurately measure impairment, and have been proven to be inconsistent, often times resulting in false positive results. The active chemical in marijuana, THC, can remain in one's system up to 45 days after exposure. While "harder drugs" (such as cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and other commonly abused prescription drugs) have average detection times of two to five days. [continues 170 words]
Dear Editor, I'm writing about Jason A. Ludwick's letter: "Jail overcrowding has simple and inexpensive solution" (5-23-07). I agree with Ludwick that there is a simple and inexpensive solution to jail overcrowding situation, but it's not putting prisoners in tents. The simple, common sense way to eliminate your jail and prison overcrowding situation: reserve your jails and prisons for only those who intentionally harm others against their will. Not gardeners. Not people who use, produce or sell to willing buyers "unapproved" substances. [continues 86 words]
I'm writing about Jason A. Ludwick's letter: "Jail overcrowding has simple and inexpensive solution" (5-23-07). I agree with Ludwick that there is a simple and inexpensive solution to jail overcrowding situation but it's not putting prisoners in tents. The simple, common sense way to eliminate your jail and prison overcrowding situation: reserve you jails and prisons for only those who intentionally harm others against their will. Not gardeners. Not people who use, produce or sell to willing buyers "unapproved" substances. [continues 81 words]
Camden County Schools kicked off its 2005 celebration of Red Ribbon Week Oct. 24. The systemwide event was hosted at Mamie Lou Gross Elementary with all schools participating. Red Ribbon Week has been a major annual observance in Camden's schools for several years. Throughout the week, all schools will have a wide variety of lessons and activities to warn against the dangers of illegal drug use. In the systemwide program, students heard the story of Red Ribbon Week, which was created in honor of Enrique Camarena, an undercover U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officer, who was killed in the line of duty. The children took the drug-free pledge and tied red ribbons to show the solidarity among the schools in resisting the pressure to use drugs. [continues 236 words]
Dear Editor, It appears to be a universal principle that the purpose of any county school system is to provide an education to all the children within the county. Further, it seems that most school systems have adopted the practice of maintaining a drug-free environment. The easiest way to do this is to suspend or expel any student using or possessing illicit drugs or alcohol while on school property or while involved in school activities. However, in doing this, a school system ceases to educate its substance-abusing children. [continues 254 words]
