KEEP FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE

Massachusetts has one of the highest drug and alcohol abuse rates in
the nation, and is ranked first for Oxycontin and heroin use,
according to a national study released last year.

The state government, as well as doctors and pharmacies, have taken
steps to control Oxycontin.

So teenagers looking to get high have found another drug - perhaps a
variety of similar drugs - to satisfy their cravings.

Why should we be surprised? Until our society figures out how to
fight the causes of substance abuse, not just the symptoms, some
teenagers will always find something - no matter how toxic - to dull
their pain. The problem now is that the latest drug, Klonopin, is
extremely dangerous. Arlington police are investigating whether the
prescription medication played a role in the suicide of an Arlington
High School student last week. Like many other prescription drugs,
Klonopin can cause a wide variety of adverse reactions - behavioral,
psychological and physical. Taking this drug without medical
supervision is a very bad idea.

Most teenagers understand that fact, or can be made to understand it.
The allegedly drug-induced suicide in Arlington last week will be a
wake-up call to some teens.

But what about those kids who think they're immune to the dangers?
And what about the kids who will avoid "hard drugs" but abuse
alcohol, which also has the potential to maim and kill?

Police say Klonopin is "readily available." It can be found in many
homes, purchased on the Internet, or obtained from other high school
students. Alcohol and other intoxicants are also accessible to
teenagers. It would take a revolutionary change in our society to
make drugs unavailable to teens. So we must focus on the demand.

We don't support drug testing of high school students. We believe
random drug testing is excessive and punitive, and assumes students
are guilty until proven innocent.

We believe the best tool to fight drug abuse is communication - not
just about the dangers of drugs, but also about all the fears and
sorrows of adolescence that can lead to substance abuse.

Teenagers need the facts, and adults must face the
facts.