Pubdate: Sun, 25 May 2003
Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO)
Copyright: 2003 The Springfield News-Leader
Contact:  http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129
Author: Bill Murrell
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n737/a11.html?1199

STUDENT DRUG TESTING:

Editorial On Issue Was One-Sided

Your May 20 editorial, "Say no to suspicionless drug tests," maligning 
Marshfield's proposal to implement drug testing unfortunately included one 
side of a complicated issue.

In response to growing concerns about substance abuse, our administration 
formed a task force consisting of staff, students and parents that has 
examined effective legal efforts, and after thoughtful deliberation, the 
committee is asking that a portion of our scarce resources be allocated to 
confront this serious problem.

Rather than casting suspicion on those who engage in extracurricular 
activities, as you suggest, we prefer to believe that our testing program 
will give these students an excuse to "just say no" when they are subjected 
to peer pressure. You say such tests are "fruitless," but this doesn't 
agree with actual results where this program is in use. You also suggested 
that we are considering adopting this program as an alternative to 
confronting students whose behavior is suspicious. This is not true. Our 
schools can and do deal with such students.

There doesn't seem to be any one here in Marshfield who was contacted by 
your editorial staff before our community got blasted. If you are as 
knowledgeable on this subject as you seem to believe, I am certain our 
committee would appreciate your input.

I am reminded of a favorite quote from Teddy Roosevelt that begins, "It is 
not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man 
stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit 
belongs to the man who is actually in the arena."

Bill Murrell, Marshfield
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom