Pubdate: Sat, 08 Feb 2003
Source: Abilene Reporter-News (TX)
Copyright: 2003 Abilene Reporter-News
Contact:  http://www.reporternews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1106
Author: Greg Robinson

EXTRACURRICULAR EFFECT

I could probably walk down the hall and point out a lot of the people
who use drugs on a regular basis, but I still think it is an invasion
of the students' privacy.

If the drug problem is so bad, they should abolish the drug testing
and start a mandatory drug education class. Show kids the hardship of
becoming an addict and living on the streets begging for money.

I think the school board should spend more time helping the kids. I
think if drug testing actually goes on, there will be students
dropping out of athletics and UIL events, and when they don't
participate in these activities, they will be drawn more to drugs. For
a lot of kids, these activities are the only things keeping them from
drugs.

GREG ROBINSON

Editor's Note: These letters were submitted by
students in Melanie Ragland's journalism class at
Hawley High School in response to Jim Parker's Jan. 24
letter to the editor, "Hawley drug testing invasion of privacy
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)