DRUG TESTING HELPS PROTECT OUR KIDS

The United States Supreme Court acted with common sense in deciding that
schools can conduct drug and alcohol testing of students. This great
decision gives parents and schools a powerful tool to help children stay
off drugs. This is a real boost for the kids who want to stay safe and
drug-free because testing gives them a chance to say "no" when approached
to use drugs. It is critical to deter drug use during school years because
kids on drugs cannot learn. School administrators and parents need
reasonable tools to stop drug users and drug dealers from ruining school
for everyone. Drug testing is also used to help kids who need counseling.

Drug testing is a proven and cost-effective deterrent to drug use. It is
used in the military and the workplace and has proven its value. Experience
shows that funds spent on drug testing reduce overall costs due to drug and
alcohol abuse. In schools these cost-saving results are achieved by the
reduction of staff time, accidents, and violence due to drug use. Drug
testing costs only a few thousand dollars per school. This is a minor
expense for protecting our children.

The Drug-Free Schools Coalition is an organization of schools
administrators, school counselors, parents, and students dedicated to
helping schools become drug-free.

DAVID G. EVANS

Executive Director, Drug-Free Schools Coalition, Flemington