CONSIDERING RANDOM DRUG TESTS

I do not appreciate the Dothan Eagle making such a rash decision by
coming out publicly and opposing random drug testing before talking to
the community, parents and doing research yourself (Jan. 30 editorial,
"Just Say No"). Besides, that is your opinion and only one opinion.

However, I do appreciate that you are giving the community the
opportunity to vote online regarding random drug testing.

On Jan. 30, the Eagle showed that 75 percent have voted in favor of
random drug testing. That number should tell you how the community
feels about this issue.

What difference does it make if textbooks are available if no students
are there to study these books?

Also, you mentioned that educators could abuse the system. They should
never be given the opportunity to abuse the system. Instead, the
school system should use a local company that does drug testing so
that it would be done fairly.

Cost is not a factor. There is federal money available today for
random drug testing; we need only to apply for it.

Drug testing should be a top priority. How can you argue with
statistics? Drug abuse leads to high school dropouts, teenage
pregnancy and violence in our schools and community. Look at all the
meth labs cropping up in Dothan. If we save only one child from
prison, a life of addiction or even death, it would be worth it. I
urge you to contact your board members and ask them to at least give
the parents and/or guardians the opportunity to make this decision.
This gives up parental control, as you will be contacted if your child
is taking drugs.

To contact your board member, go to the Dothan City Schools Web site
and click on "Administration" and then "Board of Education."

Peggy Deal

Dothan