Pubdate: Sat, 14 Jun 2003
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2003 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Andrea P. Shaughnessey
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n818/a04.html

DEVASTATING POLICY

TO THE EDITOR: Regarding "School-based drug testing proposed" (news story, 
May 31): As a mother of two, I'm outraged by U.S. Office of National Drug 
Control Policy Director John Walters' encouragement of the Tecumseh school 
policy to drug-test students. If I want to know the contents of my child's 
urine, I can go to the drug store and buy a home testing kit.

The goal of the school testing program would be to "confidentially" help 
students kick drug habits, but how is that possible when Walters also 
promotes a "zero-tolerance" policy? The effects of having a positive drug 
test in one's student file would be devastating for a lifetime, instantly 
banning the student from scholarships and possibly college acceptance.

Legislation already exists aimed at young users and their education by 
banning anyone with a drug conviction from receiving federal financial 
assistance for college. When a generation is banned from college, we are 
only exasperating the drug problem, not helping it.

No thank you, Mr. Walters. I will take my responsibilities of parenting 
with pride and without your billion-dollar assistance to sentence my 
children to a lifetime of minimum wage earnings.

Andrea P. Shaughnessey, Yukon
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