YOUNG DRUG USERS KNOW HOW TO BEAT DRUG TESTS

The July 28 article on drug-testing kits provided by the Washburn Police
Department correctly pointed out that the detection time for illegal drugs
varies tremendously. Despite a short-lived high, marijuana is the only drug
that stays in the human body long enough to make urinalysis a deterrent.
Marijuana's organic metabolites are fat- soluble and can linger for weeks.
Highly addictive synthetic drugs, like meth, are water-soluble and exit the
human body within a few days.

Cocaine and heroin are also water-soluble. The younger generation is well
aware of these limitations. Anyone capable of running a search on the
Internet can find out how to thwart a drug test.

Why is this relevant? Because the growing use of drugs, like ecstasy, is in
part a result of drug testing. A person who takes ecstasy on Friday night
will likely test clean on Monday morning. Ironically, the least dangerous
recreational drug (marijuana) is the only one whose use is discouraged by
testing. Drug testing profiteers do not readily volunteer this information,
for obvious reasons.

The most commonly abused drug and the one most often associated with
violent behavior is almost impossible to detect with urinalysis. That drug
is alcohol, and it takes far more lives every year than all illegal drugs
combined. Needless to say, hangovers don't contribute to workplace
productivity, and counterproductive drug tests do absolutely nothing to
discourage America's number one drug problem.

Robert Sharpe, Program Officer

The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation

Washington, D.C.