DRUG-TESTING IDEA GOOD STEP TO TAKE

The Cleveland Board of Education should be commended for considering
random drug testing for voluntary extracurricular activities. With the
raging drug problem in Tennessee, it's important for everyone with the
ability to influence kids to do so in a positive way. The school
system is in a crucial authoritative position that can really deter
kids from doing drugs, especially when something they love is at stake.

The board's desire to make sure the program they choose to implement
is effective and covered financially shows their dedication to the
cause. A haphazard program certainly will not do anything to help, but
a program that is well thought out can make a big difference by
providing students extra incentive to avoid drug use in favor of
focusing on the extra-curriculars.

Yes, it involves record keeping, financing and defining terms, but
this shouldn't discourage the board. With some creative approaches,
these problems can be solved. Perhaps charging a small fee for each
extracurricular activity to help offset the costs of the testing or
finding an organization to donate counseling services. Hopefully the
tests would deter students from using drugs and the number needing
counseling would be small. The benefits would far outweigh the
perceived burdens of this program.

Kavitha Reddy

Athens, Tenn.