FRINGE VIEW

The view that drug testing our children is counterproductive and a
governmental interference of individual rights (as expressed in The
Tribune's Our View -- "Failed Drug Test" July 6) is clearly a fringe view.
Most Americans are unconcerned with the government's infringements on their
rights as defined in the U.S. Constitution, since they reason that they
don't use illegal drugs. Yet the arbitrary testing of our children for
possible use of illegal drugs reveals that we are being subjected to
governmental abuses.

It is unacceptable to subject anyone (including our children) to random
drug searches under the pretense that this will somehow make us safer. Our
government fails to admonish children to abstain from alcohol or to use a
safety belt while riding in a car. There isn't a White House Office of
Child Alcohol Abstinence and Seatbelt Enforcement. Failing to respect these
practices are far more dangerous to children than all other drugs will ever be.

I suspect that these issues are ignored because the issue of drug use has
nothing to do with safety and everything to do with morality. I find it as
objectionable for my government to be enforcing its concept of morality
concerning drug use as I would if they were dictating how often I should
attend a religious service. Neither is acceptable and neither should be
tolerated in what is alleged to be a free society.

MICHAEL GREENE

Salt Lake City