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 - --- MAP posted-by: Alex