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. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens