DRUG TESTS NEEDED

To the Editor,

The judges of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals would best be
represented by the three monkeys "See no evil," "Hear no evil" and "Speak
no evil."

Regularly, we hear on the evening news about the tons -- yes, tons -- of
drugs seized by customs agents at our borders and ports. This is only a
minute fraction of the drugs that make it into the country every day. This
alone should tell the judges that there is a problem in this country, yet
they say the policy "..simply tests the wrong students."

When Tinker started their random drug testing program some years ago I made
the statement that I knew of no one in my organization who would be a drug
user. A drinker perhaps, but not drugs.

Man! Was I wrong! People I never dreamed would use anything stronger than
Coors Light were failing their drug tests. You never know who the "right"
people are until you start randomly testing everyone. Most people have no
problem with it. The people of Tecumseh, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals and the ACLU should have been proud of the Tecumseh School Board
for doing something to make sure the schools are drug-free and free of
those who use drugs and jeopardize everyone around them and, at the same
time, offer suggestions as how to make the policy "Constitutional."

This is what the majority of the people want. To test only athletes and
those dedicated to extra-curricular activities like agriculture, choir,
band etc. is testing the "wrong" students. No drug testing policy is
complete unless it includes everyone from the administrators down to the
kids in kindergarten, volunteers, substitute teachers and "common"
students. Everyone!

To the administrators and school board of Tecumseh Schools I say: Keep up
the fight against drugs and don't give up on your plans for a random drug
testing policy. Good kids should not have to be around drugs or those who
use them while in our schools or any where else.

Peter Blochowiak Jr.
Shawnee