Pubdate: Mon, 22 May 2006 Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL) Copyright: 2006sPeoria Journal Star Contact: http://pjstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338 Note: Does not publish letters from outside our circulation area. Author: Hal Chiodo Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) RANDOM TESTS WILL HELP EP STUDENTS AVOID DRUGS to East Peoria Community High School for having the courage to implement a drug-testing program. The use of illegal drugs is increasing, and the age of first-time users is alarming. Teachers, coaches, parents and administrators must not push this severe problem under the carpet. There are steroids, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogenic drugs and marijuana in many schools. This problem has been intensifying for years, and I have seen too many students ruin their lives before they start. Students die or are seriously injured in auto accidents due to illegal drugs, but these tragedies have not deterred students from using drugs. Current drug prevention programs are not effective. Extracurricular activities are an important part of the high school educational experience. While federal law will not allow testing of all students, hopefully drug testing will at least eliminate drug use by extracurricular participants. Grade school students look up to athletes, and it is imperative for those young people to know that their role models do not use drugs. Research has shown that peer pressure is one of the greatest reasons students use drugs. When students know they will be tested, they have a great reason to say "no." The East Peoria school district is developing a program to help students develop lifelong skills and give them the best chance to succeed in a competitive world. I hope all of us keep an eye on the success of this program. Hal Chiodo Morton High School head football coach Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman