WORKING TOWARD A DRUG-FREE AMERICA

The Jan. 22 editorial, "A solid Union," documents President Bush's
State of the Union response to the pleas of families and educators
nationwide to help us rid our schools of illicit drugs. His pledge to
fund school districts that want to employ drug testing but can't
afford to go it alone speaks loudly to his understanding of this issue
and his support of families and young people.

Not everyone is as supportive of Mr. Bush's proposal, however. Some
small, well-funded groups of drug legalizers who are challenging
political figures nationwide to be lenient on drug users, such as the
Drug Policy Alliance, think the president is too tough on drugs.

This network of groups that favor legalization has been pushing the
idea of smoking marijuana for medicine even though it has no Food and
Drug Administration approval, no logic, no support from legitimate
medical groups and is illegal.

Marijuana is far more carcinogenic than tobacco; plus, it adversely
affects all body systems, from the brain and the immune system to the
lungs and reproductive system.

We applaud Mr. Bush and challenge local, state and federal legislators
to follow his lead. Drug testing works in the military and in the
workplace, and it is working in more than 1,000 schools that already
have begun random, nonpunitive testing. Methods include testing
saliva, a snippet of hair, a sweat patch or urine. All children
benefit from a safe, drug-free school environment. Urge your school
board to support testing.

Joyce Nalepka

President Drug-Free Kids: America's Challenge

Silver Spring