TEEN DRUG USE

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- Peter Palanca's mission is noble, but his
support of drug testing scares me ("The importance of drug testing,"
Voice, Sept. 3). Putting people in prison for drug violations alone is
idiotic. So, too, are the exclusions handed to students for
recreational drug use.

I support sincere efforts to educate kids about the dangers of
different drugs, but that doesn't mean mandating urinalysis prior to
practicing with the marching band. Such screenings would obviously
prevent some from participating. I don't know what the pros are
thinking, but last I heard, the therapy for drug use was activity and
involvement.

Danny Terwey