Drug Testing Doesn't Work

(Editor's Note: This essay was submitted by Drug Free Pennsylvania in response to the Jan. 12 "My Side" column in opposition to random testing of school students for drug abuse.)

Any parent's biggest fear, biggest nightmare, is losing a child. We are living that nightmare, and it is worse than anyone could have imagined.

There is no way to explain the pain and devastation. A week before graduation, Mark went to school, played some basketball, lifted weights, and went to work. The next day he never woke up.

Mark seemed to be very happy growing up. He did well in school and had many friends. Everything in Mark's life appeared to be going well.

In April 2004, Mark was experiencing pain in his lower back (a chronic condition), a sore knee (diagnosed as bursitis), and a sprained wrist. His doctor prescribed Naproxen for pain.

Early on, Mark told us that the medication was not helping the pain. He never said anything else about the pain after that and did not return to the doctor for a follow-up. Looking back, we sometimes wonder if Mark had found his own method of treating the pain.

Perhaps the signs of Mark's addictive personality surfaced early in life. We started to get concerned when he started raiding household medicines in his early teens. Cough medicine and even acetaminophen had to be hidden.

Over the next year or so, there were occasional issues related to marijuana and alcohol.

In the months preceding his death, Mark seemed to have turned things around. He was happy, talking about the future, and looking forward to graduation. From all appearances, he had won his personal battle with addiction. His eyes were clear and his speech was sharp.

On Friday May 28, 2004, Mark died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

After he died, we found out that he had been abusing prescription painkillers.

There seems to be a stigma attached to those who have died a drugrelated death. This is not just something that happens to others. This can happen to a friend, a neighbor, or your own child.

Phil & Cookie Bauer

York, Pa.