DRUG PROBLEM IS SYMPTOM OF LARGER ISSUE

Ever since President Nixon first used the phrase "war on drugs" in 1972, it
has become a topic of national discussion and a war of statistics.

But what concerns me most is how drug abuse has become a scapegoat for many
of our great nation's ills. It is merely a symptom of larger issues.

For 30 years, our nation and politicians have tried many things to find an
answer. But many of the answers only raise more questions.

An example would be drug testing in public schools.

It has proved to be a costly failure.

Young people who use drugs simply no longer will go to school or find a way
around the test. And there are plenty of ways around the test.

And let's not forget the fact that drug testing turns our doctrine of
presumed innocence upside down.

This is the point that those "protesters" in Tulia wish to make.

And now those brave people must face the double standard of "drug warriors
can't be guilty, and protesters can't be innocent."

As Tulians move forward with the theory that drugs are the problem, I wish
they would ask themselves: Why do we have a problem?

Perhaps the money for drug testing would be better spent on after- school
programs, employer hiring incentives for struggling young people, or even a
mentoring program that teaches classes in constitutional law for extra credit.

In 1999, Tulians' answer to their problem seemed to be to toss everyone
they were afraid of in prison.

Today's question is: Why do they think they still have a problem?

There is a much less costly way of finding out if young people are using
drugs: Ask them and read the body language.

Debra Cochrain

Fritch