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 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom