Pubdate: Tue, 14 Jun 2005
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
is pretty hacked up, but they printed it. Suzy
Copyright: 2005 The Dallas Morning News
Contact:  http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Note: Strict 200 word count limit
Author: Suzanne Wills

DRUG TESTS COST STUDENTS

Re: "Let's clean up problem before it's too late," by U.S. Rep. Kenny 
Marchant, Sunday Letters.

Mr. Marchant's call for increased random student drug testing is naive. He 
uses the Taylor Hooton tragedy as justification, but Taylor probably would 
not have been helped by such a program because these are random tests given 
to only about 10 to 15 percent of students each month.

He should have been helped by coaches, counselors, nurses and teachers. 
There are fewer of these in schools that must divert funds to random, 
"suspicionless," drug-testing programs.

Parents are free to test their children if they suspect drug use. Their 
classmates should not have to pay for the tests with larger class sizes, 
fewer teachers, less equipment and less time in class.

Suzanne Wills, Drug Policy Forum of Texas, Dallas
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