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
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman