Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jul 2002
Source: State, The (SC)
Copyright: 2002 The State
Contact:  http://www.thestate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/426
Author: WYNDI ANDERSON

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES HELP TROUBLED TEENS

The Supreme Court's decision regarding the drug testing of high school 
students for extracurricular activities will only push children away from 
activities that could be a lifeline for them.

I was a cheerleader in high school who also happened to be an active 
alcoholic and drug-abuser. I got sober when I was 16, and I have been in 
recovery now for 15 years. I am afraid to think how much further down my 
life could have gone if I had been banned from cheerleading or the other 
extracurricular activities I was involved in.

Those activities kept me from withdrawing completely and becoming even more 
addicted as a result of isolation and increasing depression.

It is obvious that the Supreme Court and Oklahoma policy-makers care more 
about knowing who is using drugs and punishing them than in helping 
children. This decision will not protect our youth, and the money that will 
now be spent on costly and intrusive drug-testing should instead go to 
improving after-school programs for all children, regardless of what drugs 
they may or may not be taking.

WYNDI ANDERSON

Charleston
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