DRUG TESTING

An AP story (HT-H, May 20) made reference to Gov. Lingle's administrative
initiatives now being studied by lawmakers. One of her proposals is to
initiate a drug testing program in the schools. Before I indicate why this
is a bad idea, let me state that I support any effective effort to curtail
drug use in our schools.

The most important consideration in the adoption of any drug deterrent
program is to first ensure that it works.

In an op-ed piece published on May 17 in the N.Y. Times, columnist Greg
Winter documented a serious problem with this proposal by our governor:
"Drug testing in schools does not deter student drug use any more than doing
no screening at all." This was according to the findings in the first
large-scale federally financed national study of 76,000 students nationwide
which found that drug use is just as common in schools with testing as in
those without it. One of the study's researchers, Dr. L.D. Johnston from the
University of Michigan, said, "It suggests that there really isn't an impact
from drug testing as practiced. It's the kind of intervention that doesn't
win the hearts and minds of children.

I don't think it brings about any constructive changes in their attitudes
about drugs or their belief in the dangers associated with using them."

Memo to Gov. Lingle and legislators: Please don't waste our tax dollars on
"sound good" drug testing in schools or politically expedient drug deterrent
programs, such as DARE, that other studies have already shown to be
ineffective.

An effective politician is a thinking politician who examines evidence of
success rates before throwing money at popular programs that don't work.

Don Bremer

Keaau