DRUG TESTS MAY BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE

I'm writing about Rob McCallum's Sept. 27 thoughtful column: "Don't
make the drug problem worse." As the parent of a 16-year-old, ideally
I hope my son will never use any illegal drugs. However, if he does
use an illegal drug, I would hope it's marijuana and only marijuana.

Drug testing discourages this because marijuana is fat soluble. As a
result, marijuana stays in a person's system for up to several weeks.
On the other hand, drugs like meth, cocaine and heroin exit the body
within a few days because they are water-soluble. Drug testing
discourages marijuana use and encourages use of much more dangerous
drugs like meth, cocaine and heroin.

Would you want your children experimenting with meth or heroin
instead of marijuana? Meth and heroin can and do kill. Marijuana does
not. Meth, cocaine and heroin are highly addictive. Marijuana is not.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.