Pubdate: Fri, 31 Aug 2001
Source: Quad-City Times (IA)
Copyright: 2001 Quad-City Times
Contact:  http://www.qctimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857
Author: Guy W. Niebruegge

DRUG TESTING FOR KIDS CREATES DISTRUST

Although I now live in the Tampa, Fla.,area, I was raised in the Quad- Cities.

I would like to comment on the drug testing at the high school in Fulton, 
Ill. What kind of message are we sending to our youth? While drug education 
has a long way to go to be more productive, still, what is taught is enough 
to give most children an idea of just what can happen to them should they 
choose to use.

My feeling is that we seem to be sending a message to our children that we 
don't trust them. I have faith in our youth. I feel that given a choice, 
most will do the right thing.

This testing in Fulton is overkill (textbook). We seem to demand more and 
more from our youth. I feel that we need to trust them more. A drug test 
like this one creates an atmosphere of distrust.

Are we convicting our youth with out due process? Give them a break.

Guy W. Niebruegge, Tampa, Fla.