Pubdate: Fri, 05 May 2006
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2006 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact:  http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

FEDERAL OFFICIAL TOUTS DRUG TESTING

ROBINSONVILLE -- Drug testing in schools is an  effective tool to
identify children who need help and  deter illegal drug use, one of
the nation's top drug  control policy advisers told a conference of
Mississippi drug court judges, staff and treatment  providers on Thursday.

"We have this disease and it is being spread from child  to
child,"said Scott M. Burns, deputy director for  State and Local
Affairs in the White House Office of  National Drug Control Policy.

Prevention is the most effective approach, Burns said.

Burns was the keynote speaker for more than 100 members  of the
Mississippi Association of Drug Court  Professionals at the group's
second annual training  conference at Grand Casino Conference Center.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy advises the  president on
national and international drug control  policies and strategies. Its
purpose is to establish  policies, priorities and objectives for the
nation's  drug control program.

The cost of drug testing is among the arguments often  cited against
using it in schools. Burns put the price  in perspective: "It costs
about $35 for a test. Whether  or not a kid is addicted to a disease
is as important  as half the price of a pair of gym shoes or the
current  jean craze."

Federal money is available to set up student drug  testing programs,
Burns said.

Burns said he favors school-wide, random drug testing,  not just
testing athletes or cheerleaders or some other  select group. He said
the testing needs to start in  junior high because children ages 11 to
13 begin  experimenting with drugs at that age.

Rankin County Court Judge Tom Broome, whose duties  include Youth
Court, said that he's seen favorable  results from drug testing of
students in Rankin County  Public Schools and Pearl Public Schools.

"It's beneficial because those children may never enter  the Youth
Court system. It's our hope that some of  those problems will be
stopped before they become  greater," Broome said.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake