Pubdate: Sun, 28 Apr 2002 Source: Home News Tribune (NJ) Copyright: 2002 Home News Tribune Contact: http://www.thnt.com/hnt/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/825 Author: Kenneth Koppel Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n823/a04.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) GIVE STUDENTS RELEVANT EDUCATION ON DRUGS As a retired school administrator, I express my concern to Debra Donald in regard to her letter, "Honesty worst policy at Edison High School," April 23. Donald said that her son was suspended five days for telling the truth when he admitted that he had tried marijuana outside of school. Then he was suspended an additional 10 days when she would not allow the principal to further question her son about other students. Then he was placed in an alternative program for a month to keep him out of normal classes! How many students have tried harmful drugs such as liquor and cigarettes outside of school? Will the principal also suspend them? Will he suspend and put Edison staff members in alternative sites if they try marijuana outside of school? What would he do with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who recently admitted that he enjoyed marijuana in the past? What we need is good, accurate information about drugs and relevant education that shows students the dangers and health risks associated with drug use. What we don't need are uninformed and misguided school principals at Edison High School or anywhere else in our schools. Kenneth Koppel Monroe - --- MAP posted-by: Alex