NON-PUNITIVE THE CRUX If readers log on to http://www.ourwall.net, which was started by a North Carolina resident who lost a loved one to drugs, they will see why parents, grandparents, and the community should support random non-punitive student drug testing. The key word is "non-punitive." Parents get a phone call if the child tests positive, empowering them to seek help before the police or a coroner knocks at the door. During the Reagan administration, I was privileged to serve as president of the anti-drug parents' organization that Nancy Reagan chaired. In early 1980, two of our parent members appeared on the "Today" show and "Good Morning America." They told of their children's drug use and how difficult it had been to figure out what was ailing their children. They told viewers, "Write to us and we'll send you our drug prevention booklet." We expected perhaps 500 responses. Within two weeks, I had more than 17,000 letters. 80% to 90 % held stories of parents who didn't find out for 18-24 months what they were facing. The letters told of children from sixth grade to college-age. They were outstanding scholars, athletes, musicians, pre-med students, children of law enforcement officers, including one whose father had been the administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Many told of children dead of overdoses or suicide. Worst of all, some had no idea where their children were. Those who have experienced drug use in their family know that part of the pattern is hiding and deception and withdrawal from the family, making early identification difficult. We urge parents to know their children's friends, but more important, know your children's friends' parents. Get together, set appropriate guidelines for behavior and curfews. Call each other, chaperon. However, parents can't do this alone. They need the help of their school administrators, the religious community, neighbors, law enforcement, and you! You have a unique opportunity in that your new school superintendent, Gary Mathews, is informed and wants to truly address the issue. I urge you to support him. Everyone is needed, whether you have children in school or not. Children cannot learn if they are high. Children who may never use drugs are having their education impacted by students who do. Marijuana, which is usually one of the first drugs to be used, is now between 15% and 30% more potent than it was in the 1960s and '70s. Five nations, including the U.K., Sweden, Australia, Japan and the United States, recently linked marijuana to increased depression, suicidal thoughts, and in some cases, schizophrenia in later years. Call your School Board and lend your support at meetings. Drug tests can be done with a snippet of hair, sweat patch, urine, eye scans, etc. The cost for the first test is approximately $10. Funerals cost around $6,000. Random student drug testing has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court and two state Supreme Courts. The Virginia General Assembly, in 2003, passed a law authorizing and endorsing student drug testing for all Virginia schools to use at their option. This measure passed both houses unanimously. Perhaps one day we can truly claim to have drug-free youths in all our schools. To learn more about the drug-testing program, visit http://www.preventionnotpunishment. Joyce Nalepka Silver Spring, Md.
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