Pubdate: Fri, 05 Apr 2002
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Asheville Citizen-Times
Contact:  http://www.citizen-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863
Author: Don Boone
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

TESTING FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST DRUGS

I believe that lessons in reality are far more valuable than the civic 
lessons suggested in your editorial, "Mandatory drug testing of students a 
poor civics lesson," (AC-T, March 24), objecting to random drug testing in 
our schools. You have joined forces with the other ill-informed who have 
helped to maintain and support our growing drug problem. If education was 
the cure for the problem, we would not have drug issues within the medical 
profession or at the Air Force Academy and the millions spent for education 
through the "war on drugs" would have been more than a dismal failure.

Even though illegal drug use is a major contributor to most social 
problems, our society has never decided to get serious about illegal use 
and abuse of drugs anywhere. This abdication of responsibility is not only 
confined to our schoolchildren but is also seen with teachers and the 
school administrative staff. In addition, our jails and prisons are likely 
our least drug-free zones.

Random testing with consequences at all levels of our society is the only 
way to get serious. Inspection is far more effective than education in 
effecting change. I hope that you will give the roots and consequences of 
your editorial another look.

Don Boone,

Asheville
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