CHILDREN'S WELFARE NOT FOCUS OF PRO-LEGALIZATION ACTIVISTS

I have read with interest the letters concerning Columbia Academy's current
policy of random drug testing of all students. The last letter from Mr.
Stephen Heath of Clearwater, Fla., gave me pause.

At first I wondered why Mr. Heath would be interested in the policies of a
small Middle Tennessee school hundreds of miles away. A visit to the web
site of Drug Policy Forum of Florida of which Mr. Heath is a member,
informed me that the note attached to his letter by the editor of the
Herald did not tell all the story.

I came away from that visit convinced that Mr. Heath and the impressively
named Drug Policy Forum of Florida are a part of a movement to legalize the
use of marijuana, if not other presently illegal, dangerous, and
destructive substances. If that be the case, Mr. Heath has a hidden agenda
which colors his thinking in the matter of drug testing of students.

He also opines that drug testing is no way to demonstrate personal
integrity. He then states his personal conviction that parents should talk
to their children about drugs, as he has done with his three teens. I agree
that is the best course of action.

But to believe that our children do not need confirmation of that message
at school and from authorities reflects a serious misunderstanding of young
people. What better way to confirm that message than to say to the child we
do not condone that use, and we will not allow that use on our campus, and
then back that up with action holding the child responsible to the rules
and law?

He then equates random drug testing with child abuse. I hardly call abuse
something that might save one or more from a ruined life of seeking the
next fix.

The leaders of Columbia Academy have stated that punishment is not the goal
of their drug testing, but rather getting the student help with his
problem. Talk to any recovering addict about whether or not he would have
wanted someone or something to intercept him as he made his first steps
down a road to misery.

As the parent of two boys who have graduated from Columbia Academy, I
applaud their actions in support of my teaching of the evils of drug use. I
am aware that the faculty of Columbia Academy discusses drug use and abuse
with their students on every occasion that presents itself. The DARE
program is alive on the campus. They are doing their best to reinforce the
parental instruction and warnings about drug use.

I know for a fact the school does not hide its policy on drug testing. They
need not be ashamed of it. It helped confirm my decisionto enroll my
children. I knew then that I had an ally in helping my children make a good
choice when it came to illegal, dangerous, and damaging drug use. I knew
that they were serious about providing a drug free learning environment for
my child.

Of course, to one who thinks drugs (at least marijuana) ought to be
legalized, none of this will be convincing. But to those who share the
common sense, informed, and rational conclusion that we need to do all we
can to keep our children away from drugs, maybe it will ring true.

Michael D. Greene,

Columbia