SCHOOLS' DRUG TESTS HURT KIDS

Editor -- Debra J. Saunders raised important objections to the recent U.S.
Supreme Court decision allowing drug testing of students involved in
extracurricular activities ("Want to join the chess club? Pee in a cup,"
July 4). Even if such testing is constitutional, it does more harm than good.

No medical test is perfect. There will inevitably be false positives, with
students inaccurately branded as drug users.

Another major problem is that marijuana is far easier to detect than most
other drugs. Drugs such as speed, cocaine and methamphetamine are cleared
so quickly from the body that tests rarely pick them up. So testing gives
students a powerful incentive to switch from marijuana to drugs that are
far more addictive and lethal.

Finally, research consistently shows that participation in extracurricular
activities reduces the likelihood that students will get involved with
drugs. A student starting to experiment with drugs should be encouraged to
join the school band, drama program or chess club, and not be barred.

BRUCE MIRKEN Director of communications

Marijuana Policy Project

Washington, D.C.