Viewpoints
Drugs
By Ken Lewis
September 21, 2009
Monday PM
It is understandable that we have an emotional outrage over drug
use, locally, regionally and nationally. And that focusing upon
our young adults just might curb future use. But if the reason
we send our youth to public schools is to get the best education,
then I will suggest the following:
The RIGHT OF; can be summed up as the pursuit of... As in: the
Pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. No child has the right
to straight A's. But each has the right to pursue those straight
A's in this country.
The drug testing of a 16 year old second baseman, point guard,
goalie or marching band member is like spitting into a camp fire
to extinguish it. If to be any of the above takes an average
or better grade to participate in, that grade itself tells the
objective mind that these kids are getting an education! If the
goal is to divide the students into kids worth saving through
drug testing and kids not worth saving through drug tests, we
are on track.
Based upon my ignorance, (I signed up for junior college); the
objective of a public education is to in fact educate. Drug testing
the kids who are not in PURSUIT of that objective is the only
common sense use of drug testing. Test the kids with failing
grades, and just maybe fewer distractions will take up space
in a class room designed to enable those not on dope to pursue
those A's.
Any young person not trying to get educated in public schools
should become the sole responsibility of the parent. There are
private schools and home schooling options.
The USA has a peculiar way of pointing at and addressing drug
problems! And here's the test for today's students! Popular belief
is MLB has a serious drug problem!
(1) Name 1 dead overdosed MLB Player?
(2) Name 100 dead on dope, Actors, Musicians?
(3) Which industry needs to be drug tested?
(4) If drug testing a athlete is ok because it is a privilege
to play, not a right, why doesn't the department of motor vehicles
apply this logic to 200 million drivers' licenses?
(5) Why did Junior College deny Ken's application?
Ken Lewis
Ketchikan, AK
About: "I am interested
in our game plan to the War on Drugs. Voice on this issue is
good."
Received September 19, 2009
- Published September 21, 2009
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