Pubdate: Wed, 27 Sep 2006
Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL)
Copyright: 2006 St. Petersburg Times
Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
Website: http://www.sptimes.com/home.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1271/a09.html
Author: Ryan O'Reilly
Note: Printed in Hernando Times regional opinion section

TESTING FOR DRUGS MAY SAVE LIVES

Re: School drug testing sounds like witch hunt, Sept. 24 Times editorial:

I do not see what is so invasive, demeaning and exploitative about
drug testing in our public schools. In fact, I believe it is a
positive way to combat such a serious issue facing our community.

Perhaps it may have been a different story if the "puffer" machine
found only trace amounts of marijuana at our schools. But it found
traces of methamphetamines and heroin.

The fact of the matter is, drug use is illegal and it ruins lives.
These are deadly substances that can kill a user trying it just once.
It causes users to commit heinous acts of violence. It destroys
families. And it can have far-reaching, unintended consequences for
everyone a user comes in contact with.

When kids enter high school, they begin to truly define who they will
be for the rest of their lives through the choices they make. If they
become addicted to alcohol, crystal meth, cocaine or heroin at this
stage, they close certain doors and lose certain opportunities.
Moreover, many employers are committed to a drug-free workplace.
Therefore, these students most likely will be required to submit to a
drug test many times throughout their lives. It really is not that big
a deal.

In my short life, I have known too many people who have lost their
lives to alcohol or drug use. Perhaps if they had taken a drug test at
school, they would be alive today. Maybe it could have given them an
opportunity to obtain help, or at least alert their families as to
what they were getting into and forced everyone to take it seriously
when there was time to correct the behavior. If drug testing can
accomplish this, then the slight displeasure of taking the test is
worth it.

Ryan O'reilly

Brooksville

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