Pubdate: Sun, 17 Mar 2002
Source: Indianapolis Star (IN)
Copyright: 2002 Indianapolis Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.starnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/210
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n404/a05.html?8536

DRUG TESTS CAN DESTROY THE FUTURE FOR KIDS

Your March 7 editorial, "Police checkpoints ensure safer roads," ended with 
a critique of school drug testing that was right on the money. School-based 
extracurricular activities have been shown to reduce drug use. They keep 
kids busy during the hours they're most prone to getting into trouble.

Forcing kids to undergo degrading drug tests as a prerequisite will only 
discourage students from enrolling in extracurricular activities. There's 
also the question of what happens to kids who test positive. Over half of 
all high school seniors have tried an illicit drug at least once. Denying 
50 percent of the nation's youth a high school diploma is not a viable option.

Fortunately, most teen-agers outgrow youthful indiscretions involving 
drugs. An education cut short and an arrest and criminal record can be life 
shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), Bill Clinton 
opened himself up to "soft on drugs" criticism. And thousands of Americans 
have paid the price in the form of shattered lives. More Americans went to 
prison during the Clinton administration than during any past administration.

As an admitted former drinker and alleged drug user, President Bush is also 
politically vulnerable when it comes to drugs. While youthful indiscretions 
did not stop Clinton or Bush from assuming leadership positions, an arrest 
surely would have. The health effects of marijuana are inconsequential 
compared to the long-term effects of criminal records. Destroying the 
futures of kids who make unhealthy choices is a decidedly odd way of 
protecting them.

Robert Sharpe

Program officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom