An Open Letter from a Concerned Parent

Cathedral High School, located in El Paso, TX is a Christian Brothers La Sallian private, secondary educational institution with a 500+ all-boys student body. It is the first school in Texas to implement a mandatory random hair-follicle drug testing policy. In February 2003, a letter was sent out to parents inviting them to a meeting to discuss the policy that would begin in June. Jackie Puccetti was the only mother to speak up against this policy.

Ms. Puccetti says that "Overall, I am very satisfied regarding the educational aspect of the school but do not agree that students be tested in the classroom in the name of fighting the ""drug war."" The principal is fully aware of my view and has no objection to me expressing it. I appreciate the fact that we are on good terms in spite of our opposing views."

Read Ms. Puccetti's open letter to the Cathedral Community. To read more parents' stories and visit a website for parents concerned about random student drug testing, go to www.drugtestingfails.org.

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February 28, 2003

Dearest Cathedral Community,

' School should not be preparation for life, it should be life.'

A mandatory drug testing policy presumes that students are guilty until proven innocent. This damages their trust in human nature. This policy also uses the threat of force to expel them from school. My son wants to continue attending Cathedral and I support him.

As a graduate of a Catholic high school I maintain reverence for the sacredness of life. I find it unethical that teachers turn to using chemical testing kits and disguise them as tools to instill morality. It is unwise to compromise our endowed parental and educators' responsibilities and subject the boys' ""confidentiality"" to the hands of ""Big Brother."" Parents and teachers should not cede a share of our inherent child-rearing responsibilities in this manner. I fear we are going amiss in our communities, school-by-school, home-by-home and child-by-child for the sake of 'good intentions.'

I am a Federal employee subject to my agency's drug testing policy and I also agree that it is right to use it in competitive sports. When Cathedral slam-dunked the policy without calling together all input, regardless of the reason, it makes human anthills or beehives as in Orwell's book 1984. I would have liked to see healthy community participation that stimulates thoughtful interaction among us. Instead, this policy was steamrolled into place, powered by mob thinking. I believe that the policy hinders the students' learning process regarding the value of their rights. Cathedral also lost a valuable opportunity to teach students about democratic process.

Drugs and mankind have a long history together and we continue to see new drugs appear. I've witnessed our nation's war against drugs while living in 5 foreign countries and know that drugs are only part of a myriad of negative influences on our society. I've also cared for many drug overdose patients as a Registered Nurse. Even though some studies have shown that random drug testing viewed as drug abuse prevention can be effective, to me it is like using a crutch. The strongest anti-drug is a well-balanced, confident individual who gains self-assurance within his/her own genuine freedom. The tougher task is for adults to teach kids sound decision-making skills without presuming them guilty.

Perhaps this letter is an experience through which I show my children the value of their inalienable rights. Perhaps it may also stir the reader.

Respectfully,

Jackie Puccetti, Cathedral Parent