Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jan 2007
Source: Mobile Register (AL)
Copyright: 2007 Mobile Register
Contact:  http://www.al.com/mobileregister/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/269
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n006/a02.html
Author: George E. Krietemeyer

MOBILE NEEDS STUDENT DRUG TESTING NOW

The recent article, "Baldwin County to expand student drug tests," 
demonstrates the exemplary leadership and cooperation being exhibited 
by members of the Baldwin County School Board and the 
superintendent's office.  The parents of Baldwin County 
schoolchildren also deserve credit for willingly recognizing and 
accepting the need to take strong action to reverse the several 
decades-long trend of increasing drug use by children.

National and local data clearly show that more than 30 percent of our 
kids openly admit to using illegal drugs. Our region of the country 
is a crossroads for drug trafficking and lots of the illegal 
contraband ends up on our streets and in our kids' pockets.

Children need adults (parents/teachers/community leaders) who will 
provide them with "tough love" and establish rules and punishment 
designed to keep them out of harm's way. We see that happening in 
Baldwin County. We wonder why it is not happening in Mobile County.

It is time for the Mobile County school system's leadership to take a 
courageous stand and begin the process of drug-testing children. The 
parents of Mobile County public school students should demand it. 
Failure to act now will only exacerbate a problem which has already 
reached epidemic proportions.

Our local jails are full of young people who failed to receive proper 
guidance and discipline when they were teenagers. Would you rather 
spend your tax dollars on building and staffing more jails, or on 
preventive measures that will keep our children on the path to a 
successful future?

George E. Krietemeyer

Mobile 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake