Pubdate: Sat, 20 Sep 2003 Source: Savannah Morning News (GA) Copyright: 2003 Savannah Morning News Contact: http://www.savannahnow.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/401 Author: Patrick McCARTHY Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1401/a08.html?1652 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) BENEDICTINE APPLAUDED FOR DRUG PREVENTION STEPS I am writing in response to Benedictine Military School's latest actions toward drug prevention ("A new kind of school test," Home section, Sept. 14). As a former student of Benedictine Military School, I have seen firsthand how drugs affected my fellow classmates. It's a shame to see so many soon-to-be adults use substances that will eventually hurt them in the long run. BC, along with every other school in the area, has a serious drug problem on its hands. If you haven't noticed, the Chatham County drug dogs just don't cut it anymore. These days, students are learning ways to get around all the administrations' efforts to diminish drug use. BC has made a huge step in its effort to sideline drug use. Whether these tests will weed out the drug users in school is still to be determined. What current students need to realize, though, is that the administration is there to help, not to promote expulsion. I commend BC Principal Kelly Burke and her administration on taking a bold step to end drug use and hope other area schools take note and apply the same standards. I think I speak for most of my classmates when I say we would like to see nothing more than for each of us succeed in life, rather than be left behind because of the perils of drugs. PATRICK McCARTHY Athens - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom