Pubdate: Tue, 12 Mar 2002
Source: Hutchinson News, The (KS)
Copyright: 2002 The Hutchinson News
Contact:  http://www.hutchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1551
Author: BRET MASON

DRUGS, NOT KITS,DESTROY RELATIONSHIP

As a former Hutchinson resident, I am writing in response to the opinion 
expressed in your paper that urinalysis kits issued by the district 
attorney compromise the parent/child relationship.I have been on both sides 
of the fence  -- both as a parent and a former drug abuser. I can say that 
my life always became a real mess during those times I was abusing drugs.

Everyone knows that spending quality time with your child and building a 
trusting relationship is the most important thing a parent can do to 
prevent drug abuse. My parents are loving and trusted me but, once I 
started doing drugs, that didn't seem to matter. Once illegal drug use 
starts, it's the drug use that compromises the parent/child relationship, 
not intervention.

Drug abuse is very serious business. Parents who truly care about their 
child will intervene with whatever means at their disposal to stop the 
destruction that drug abuse causes. Whatever the perceived compromise to 
the relationship caused by using the UA kits today, it will fade away 
tomorrow when the grateful child grows up knowing that at least his or her 
parents cared.

BRET MASON - Oakdale, Calif.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens