DRUG TESTS A WASTE

TO THE EDITOR:

Drug testing in schools is not a panacea that will halt illicit drug use.
Drug testing gives a green light to use drugs. After a test is
administered, children know it will be weeks or months until the next one.
Weekly testing of students would be extrememly expensive. Instead of
spending money on drug tests, let's spend it on rehab for students with
drug problems. Why should we waste money testing the majority of children
that don't use drugs?

Another reason drug testing isn't a good idea: The least dangerous drug --
marijuana -- is the one that stays in the system the longest. Knowing they
may be tested, children might resort to more dangerous substances that
aren't detectable after a few days of use, such as methamphetamine and
heroin. Also, a "false positive" can occur on any drug screen. Can you
imagine what it would be like to be falsely labeled a drug user?

The only people who benefit from drug testing are the companies that sell
drug test kits.

Alan Bryan, Drug Policy Forum of Texas, Dallas