DRUG TESTS CAN DESTROY THE FUTURE FOR KIDS

Your March 7 editorial, "Police checkpoints ensure safer roads," ended with
a critique of school drug testing that was right on the money. School-based
extracurricular activities have been shown to reduce drug use. They keep
kids busy during the hours they're most prone to getting into trouble.

Forcing kids to undergo degrading drug tests as a prerequisite will only
discourage students from enrolling in extracurricular activities. There's
also the question of what happens to kids who test positive. Over half of
all high school seniors have tried an illicit drug at least once. Denying
50 percent of the nation's youth a high school diploma is not a viable option.

Fortunately, most teen-agers outgrow youthful indiscretions involving
drugs. An education cut short and an arrest and criminal record can be life
shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), Bill Clinton
opened himself up to "soft on drugs" criticism. And thousands of Americans
have paid the price in the form of shattered lives. More Americans went to
prison during the Clinton administration than during any past administration.

As an admitted former drinker and alleged drug user, President Bush is also
politically vulnerable when it comes to drugs. While youthful indiscretions
did not stop Clinton or Bush from assuming leadership positions, an arrest
surely would have. The health effects of marijuana are inconsequential
compared to the long-term effects of criminal records. Destroying the
futures of kids who make unhealthy choices is a decidedly odd way of
protecting them.

Robert Sharpe

Program officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.