DRUG TESTING WOULD STOP PROBLEM WHERE IT STARTS

Re: Organization Wants Drug-Free Zones Around Schools, Sept. 21.

The task force headed by Julian Fantino has proposed the
implementation of drug-free zones within a 1,000-foot radius of
schools, parks and other city-owned public facilities. While this
initiative is admirable, how many "non-zoned" areas will be left with
easy access to students who are willing to make the journey? Plenty.

Drug dealers will always be around. They are not interested in our
welfare, our future or giving back to our community.

Until I started high school, I was unaware of the availability of
drugs in schools. Our aim should be to target the issues that
encourage students to seek out this criminal behaviour and to take
the appropriate action to deal with offenders.

These actions must go beyond typically ineffective school suspensions
and expulsions.

We learn about drugs and their dangers, but clearly it is not taken seriously.

The consequences of using drugs are not enforced, whether that is in
the home or in the school.

Consider a high school in New Jersey. A survey taken at school
revealed 45 per cent of the school's 2,500 students had smoked
marijuana. These results were probably typical of a lot of high
schools. Soon after this survey, the school implemented a random
drug-testing program. Students who tested positive were put into a
program, parents were contacted and school counsellors were assigned
to discuss treatment options. Results later showed drug abuse
declined in 20 of 28 key categories.

Statistics show the earlier drug use is initiated, the more likely a
person is to develop drug problems later in life.

Therefore, we need to target younger and impressionable youth before
they are drawn into this behaviour.

Drug free zones are a great starting point, but we need to be more
responsible and take it further. Random drug testing in our schools
would strengthen the message that drug use is both unacceptable and
illegal and would be an extension of programs currently in place in
professional and amateur sports.

The aim of drug testing is not to trap and punish students who use
them. The reality is if you choose to use illegal drugs, you may get
caught and you have to be prepared to deal with the consequences.

If drug-using students are simply suspended or expelled without any
attempt to change their ways, the community will be faced with
drug-using dropouts, an even bigger societal problem in the long run.

Michelle Chalmers

Markville Secondary School