STUDENTS AND DRUGS

Is random drug testing in our schools more like a police state or an open,
democratic society (5/28, Letters)? Let's assume for a moment it's like an
open, democratic society. What would the benefits be?

I think we can be sure there will be students caught up in the drug sweep.
If we then kick them off the team, club, band, etc., will this benefit or
hurt the students?

If you believe the statistics that students who participate in after-school
sports are less likely to use drugs, then kicking them off the team doesn't
seem to make sense.

If you believe that the threat of kicking students off the team is enough,
then you choose to ignore the history of the war on drugs. The government
has fined, arrested, jailed and taken people's property, yet the drug
problem carries on with no end in sight.

Alienating our kids makes the problem worse, not better. We should try to
get our kids more involved in activities, especially ones that parents can
share, instead of kicking them out for making a mistake.

A final thought: Who is more likely to change your mind for the long term,
your friends or your persecutors?

Dennis Snow

Lee's Summit