Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jan 2003
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2003 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.starbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/196
Source: Star-Bulletin (HI)
Author: Mark Hayakawa

DRUG-TESTING STUDENTS IS MCCARTHYISM

I was born in Hawaii and lived there until I was 20. When I left in 1975, 
pakalolo was prevalent in the community but wasn't looked upon as a real 
problem, since everyone smoked the bud. I suspect if Sen. Robert Bunda's 
proposal for drug testing of public school students passes, there would be 
an alarming number of dropouts, because kids would rather get a GED than be 
tested. This Nazi-like attempt to legislate morality is surely doomed to 
failure, or at the very least condemning thousands of Hawaii kids to a 
reduced level of education. Who will guarantee that these tests will remain 
confidential forever? What type of stigma would a positive test result have 
on the kids? Who will pay for the testing and any remedial treatment? What 
about false positives?

Bunda must be on something to come up with this draconian idea. Perhaps his 
family tree includes a McCarthy.

Mark Hayakawa Morrisville, N.C.
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