GIVE STUDENTS RELEVANT EDUCATION ON DRUGS

As a retired school administrator, I express my concern to Debra Donald in
regard to her letter, "Honesty worst policy at Edison High School," April
23. Donald said that her son was suspended five days for telling the truth
when he admitted that he had tried marijuana outside of school. Then he was
suspended an additional 10 days when she would not allow the principal to
further question her son about other students. Then he was placed in an
alternative program for a month to keep him out of normal classes!

How many students have tried harmful drugs such as liquor and cigarettes
outside of school? Will the principal also suspend them? Will he suspend
and put Edison staff members in alternative sites if they try marijuana
outside of school? What would he do with New York City Mayor Michael
Bloomberg, who recently admitted that he enjoyed marijuana in the past?

What we need is good, accurate information about drugs and relevant
education that shows students the dangers and health risks associated with
drug use. What we don't need are uninformed and misguided school principals
at Edison High School or anywhere else in our schools.

Kenneth Koppel

Monroe