Pubdate: Sat, 17 Mar 2007
Source: Daily Astorian, The (OR)
Copyright: 2007 The Daily Astorian
Contact:  http://www.dailyastorian.info/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1629
Author: Melanie Wiegardt

NO OTHER CHOICE?

As a high school student who is very aware of the  prevalent use of 
drugs and alcohol among my peers, I  adamantly suggest that the 
Astoria School District take  a second look at the benefits Student 
Athlete Testing  Using Random Notification drug testing can provide, 
and  the positive effects it can have on the students in our  community.

Depression, poor work in school, deterred health and  even suicide 
are just a few examples of the severe  effects of drugs and alcohol, 
particularly on  high-school-aged students. According to the 
Sourcebook  of Criminal Justice Statistics, by their senior year, 
nearly half of all high school students have tried  marijuana, and 
more than a quarter are currently using.

Even more disturbing, 83 percent of these students have  engaged in 
drinking at some point, more than half are  regular drinkers at this 
age, and 37 percent engage in  episodic heavy drinking.

A tested and effective method to decrease drug and  alcohol use in 
high school students is random and  suspicionless drug testing in 
athletes. This has proved  to be a controversial and emotional topic, 
as shown by  the lawsuits and public backlash to the studies 
conducted in several high schools.

However, considering the facts and severity of the  situation, we may 
have to decide that we have no other  choice.

Melanie Wiegardt

Astoria
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MAP posted-by: Elaine