Pubdate: Sat, 01 May 2004 Source: Greensboro News & Record (NC) Copyright: 2004 Greensboro News & Record, Inc. Contact: http://www.news-record.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/173 Author: Ellie Borst 'TOUGH LOVE' FIGHTS DRUG USE IN SCHOOLS As a former educator and mother of two children, I applaud Superintendent James Merrill for his response to the drug problem in our schools. Sometimes as parents, citizens and educators, we need to exercise "tough love" in our dealings with adolescents. Most children seek limits so that they will feel more secure. If we abdicate our responsibilities and don't set these limits, we may have created a monster that will come back to haunt us. Even with its limitations, undercover police strategy in our schools seems to be the most effective means of detecting drug sellers and users. Although the sale of drugs is the most serious offense, the use of drugs may often lead to the sale of drugs. Also, those adolescents who use marijuana often "graduate" to more harmful drugs like heroin and cocaine. Parents of adolescents, confused and anxious about these problems, often compromise their value system in the hope they are "saving" their kids. Finally, the drug problem in schools is not unique to this area. It has become a global issue. We should present a united front in developing and implementing a program to protect our children from harmful drugs. Ellie Borst Elon - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom