Building Mistrust

DRUG TEST KITS UNDERMINE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP

Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder has a knack for trotting out
programs he believes will benefit the community and simplify court operations.

For instance, the traffic ticket diversion program Schroeder started
Feb. 1 generated more than $6,800 in additional revenue in its first
month. It has worked as intended.

But another new idea from the district attorney needs to die on the
vine.

The program involves drug-testing, urinalysis kits. Parents who
suspect a child of using drugs can pick up a free kit from the DA's
office. The kit tests for marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, PCP and
morphine.

Understandably, parents need to remain vigilant and alert regarding
the invasion of drugs in our communities and schools.

But communicating with children and taking an active role in their
lives - not threats of home-administered drug tests - should fuel
parents' concern and vigilance.

The UA program can only build suspicion, not communication, between
parent and child. It's not a valuable tool; it's a weapon of mistrust.

A Hutchinson company donated the initial 50 UA kits for the Reno
County program. "Concerned" Reno County citizens, whom Schroeder
declined to identify, have pledged to pay for additional kits, if needed.

That money from anonymous sources would be better spent to support any
number of agencies - such as Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big
Sisters, YouthFriends - which recognize and cultivate the good in children.