CHANCE TO GET CLEAN

Why make such a dramatic deal about a simple test that will only
better students, the school environment and the community?

The drug testing isn't reserved to try to catch students "in the act,"
but to give students a valid reason not to do drugs. Ask any students
who currently do drugs or have experimented with them, and they can
tell you peer pressure was what pushed them to start.

We live in a society that is numbed by drug use. We see it as a
problem, but ignore it. Hawley High School isn't going to let it go on
anymore. They're giving the student body a chance to get clean.

Another factor to consider is that students who will be tested
represent the school, whether it is in band, athletics or art. If you
compete in extracurricular activities, you are representing your
school. Your actions reflect upon Hawley High School.

The school isn't trying to pry into your personal life, but trying to
protect the integrity of the school's reputation. Why fault a school
trying to make things better?

SARA DAVIS

Editor's Note: These letters were submitted by
students in Melanie Ragland's journalism class at
Hawley High School in response to Jim Parker's Jan. 24
letter to the editor, "Hawley drug testing invasion of privacy."