UNDERCOVER DRUG STING GETS TO SOURCE OF PROBLEM

Random drug screenings of area high school students only scratch the
surface, at best, when trying to assess drug abuse because school systems
perform them only on students involved in extracurricular activities.

Only the most naive educators would think results of random screenings in
select groups are a true indication of what's going on in their schools.

However, it would be expensive and of questionable legality to impose
screenings on the general school population.

Even identifying which students use drugs still would not effectively
curtail abuse. Identifying the suppliers is the only way to cut off the flow.

This week Lawrence County authorities charged five young people in the
community with various drug offenses resulting from an undercover sting
operation at Lawrence County High School.

An agent posed as a student and attended classes for six weeks.

Students, who are accused of selling drugs to the agent at school, and a
man authorities said sold drugs near the school were arrested Tuesday and
another student was charged with possessing fake identification.

It's regrettable when our schools are the settings for such clandestine
operations, but such are the times.

Lawrence County took a proactive approach to dealing with teen drug abuse
by eliminating at least one source.

But knocking out one dealer is no reason to ease vigilance. Parents must
talk openly about the consequences of drug abuse with their children
because the surest way to put a dealer permanently out of business is
drying up his customer base.