DRUG WAR LACKS COMMON SENSE

The July 18 article "Adult warnings about drugs curb teen use, study shows"
says that drug use is cut in half among students who participate in
extracurricular school programs. Common sense says Americans should want
students to participate in such programs.

Sadly, there is no common sense in America's war on drugs. The U.S. Supreme
Court now says it is OK to randomly humiliate students by making them
urinate in a cup to be tested for drugs to join the band or chess club.

It is medically immoral to create more barriers to extracurricular
activities when we acknowledge these activities are effective prevention.

The logical conclusion is that this war has little to do with helping youth
avoid drugs and everything to do with identifying and ostracizing those
considered politically incorrect. Instead of drug tests and arrests,
Americans need improved access to treatment and more effective prevention
methods, including extracurricular school programs.

RICHARD E. BAYER, M.D. Southwest Portland