Students Fail Nicotine Part of City Drug Tests

The Decatur Daily online edition ^ | NOVEMBER 27, 2002 | Bayne Hughes

[Just another Joe]

DARE (to be a snitch?)

[sneakypete]

Number two, it tests for NICOTINE.

It's just a matter of time before science advances to the point where they can also test for things like fat content in the diet,and will be arresting parents for test results.

According to Supervisor for Safety and Alternative Education Phil Hastings,

THIS is the part that upsets ME the most. Notice "Phil's" title? Notice the "Alternative Education" part of his title? This has NOTHING to do with a actual education,and everything to do with replacing the parent with the gooberment as the ultimate authority. He is a propoganda chief,and nothing more. The mystery is why the school board approves the hiring of people like him,and why they pay his most likely VERY inflated salary? I'd be willing to bet old Phil has a Masters in one of more of the mental health fields.

Folks,the way to stop this is take over the local school boards,and refuse to pay their salaries.

[Just another Joe]

Supervisor for Safety and Alternative Education Phil Hastings

What would you bet that this guy is a failed cop turned gym teacher.
"Supervisor for safety" means he gets to make the rules and "Alternative Education" means he gets to knock around the 'alternative' students once in a while as well. You know, the students who are sent to the 'alternative' schools.

[-YYZ-]

I suppose it's just paranoid to think that they are preparing a new generation to accept random drug testing of everyone for everything, which your ability to get a drivers license or other virtual necessities will be based on.

Of course, some people here think that would be a good thing.

[Just another Joe]

It's like they say in the spy game, we know we're paranoid but are we paranoid ENOUGH?

[Chuckster]

I was just 19 when I had my first cigar, courtesy of the US Army. In those days and in that place soldiers were given "Sundry Packs" containing all sorts of necessities, including lots of tobacco. The cigarettes always went quickly and I had no interest in them anyway; but the cigars were always left for me and the First Sergeant. Think I'll reach over to my humidor and pull out a Punch-Punch.

The Betrothed
“You must choose between me and your cigar.”
— Breach of Promise Case, circa 1885.
Rudyard Kipling

---

OPEN the old cigar-box, get me a Cuba stout,
For things are running crossways, and Maggie and I are out.

We quarrelled about Havanas—we fought o’er a good cheroot,
And I knew she is exacting, and she says I am a brute.

Open the old cigar-box—let me consider a space;
In the soft blue veil of the vapour musing on Maggie’s face.

Maggie is pretty to look at—Maggie’s a loving lass,
But the prettiest cheeks must wrinkle, the truest of loves must pass.

There’s peace in a Larranaga, there’s calm in a Henry Clay;
But the best cigar in an hour is finished and thrown away—

Thrown away for another as perfect and ripe and brown—
But I could not throw away Maggie for fear o’ the talk o’ the town!

Maggie, my wife at fifty—grey and dour and old—
With never another Maggie to purchase for love or gold!

And the light of Days that have Been the dark of the Days that Are,
And Love’s torch stinking and stale, like the butt of a dead cigar—

The butt of a dead cigar you are bound to keep in your pocket—
With never a new one to light tho’ it’s charred and black to the socket!

Open the old cigar-box—let me consider a while.
Here is a mild Manila—there is a wifely smile.

Which is the better portion—bondage bought with a ring,
Or a harem of dusky beauties, fifty tied in a string?

Counsellors cunning and silent—comforters true and tried,
And never a one of the fifty to sneer at a rival bride?

Thought in the early morning, solace in time of woes,
Peace in the hush of the twilight, balm ere my eyelids close,

This will the fifty give me, asking nought in return,
With only a Suttee’s passion—to do their duty and burn.

This will the fifty give me. When they are spent and dead,
Five times other fifties shall be my servants instead.

The furrows of far-off Java, the isles of the Spanish Main,
When they hear my harem is empty will send me my brides again.

I will take no heed to their raiment, nor food for their mouths withal,
So long as the gulls are nesting, so long as the showers fall.

I will scent ’em with best vanilla, with tea will I temper their hides,
And the Moor and the Mormon shall envy who read of the tale of my brides.

For Maggie has written a letter to give me my choice between
The wee little whimpering Love and the great god Nick o’ Teen.

And I have been servant of Love for barely a twelvemonth clear,
But I have been Priest of Cabanas a matter of seven year;

And the gloom of my bachelor days is flecked with the cheery light
Of stumps that I burned to Friendship and Pleasure and Work and Fight.

And I turn my eyes to the future that Maggie and I must prove,
But the only light on the marshes is the Will-o’-the-Wisp of Love.

Will it see me safe through my journey or leave me bogged in the mire?
Since a puff of tobacco can cloud it, shall I follow the fitful fire?

Open the old cigar-box—let me consider anew—
Old friends, and who is Maggie that I should abandon you?

A million surplus Maggies are willing to bear the yoke;
And a woman is only a woman, but a good Cigar is a Smoke.

Light me another Cuba—I hold to my first-sworn vows.
If Maggie will have no rival, I’ll have no Maggie for Spouse!

---

Back | Words Home | Kipling Home | Site Info.

[SheLion]

Testing kids for nicotine in their systems:

Cotinine DOES show up in the urine of people who eat tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant, potatoes, and other vegetables that contain nicotine.

Isn't it amazing that secondhand smoke is "such a killer," but since kids are now being given urine tests in some schools to determine the presence of cotinine, all of a sudden they "don't feel that cotinine from second hand smoke is possible."

''Tobacco does and will affect a larger majority of the students than alcohol or drugs,'' said Gloria Spizey, the county's coordinator for Safe and Drug-Free Schools. ''Tobacco use can be devastating. We felt it needed to stand with the other drugs.''

Screenings can detect cotinine for up to 10 days in regular smokers of about a half a pack, or 10 cigarettes, a day, McAlpin said. Experts say it is unlikely that cotinine would collect in people exposed to secondhand smoke.

[SheLion]

Check out this survey that is given in schools to our kids:

Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey

Ever wonder where those statistics come from?
Here is "Where it is written."

The blatant abuse and use of our children, all for "The sake of the children" and the money schools are given for implementing the survey.

Would you allow your child to take this survey after reading it?

Money: Why your school district is willing to invade your privacy and turn your children into mini Nazi informants against their friends, family and community.

What can SDFSCA funds be used for?

I absolutely DETEST the idea that any child is being subjected to this nonsense, regardless of the "alleged reasons". Only the parents of these kids can storm the school and say, "No way in hell will I allow you to even SHOW this to my child(ren), much less expect them to answer any of these 'questions'! This has nothing to do with spelling or English or history or math or science, which are the only things that my child(ren) should be expected to answer or take tests on at school. Mind your own business, you Nazi terrorists!"
Barb.

[SheLion]

What's next: caffeine, ibuprofin, aspirin, obesity, too much sugar?

Maine is in the process of removing vending machines from schools. But since the vendors have a "contract" until 2004, Maine is wondering how to get out of it.

[SheLion]

It's like they say in the spy game, we know we're paranoid but are we paranoid ENOUGH?

[VRWC_minion]

Good move. Illegal is illegal. Besides, what school child wants to use a bathroom that is full of smoke ?

[Jeff Gordon]

Seems to me that they should all fail given that they are all probably subjected to the horrors of second hand smoke.

Could it be that the second hand smoke thingy is a myth?

[VRWC_minion]

SMOKING IS LEGAL

Not for teens its not.

[SheLion]

Besides, what school child wants to use a bathroom that is full of smoke ?

Never bothered ME!!!!!!!

[grania]

Ahhhhh......remember the bad 'ole days, when "smokin' in the boys room" was a hit song? And the Junior High science texts taught us that moderation in having a few cigarettes a day, or one or two drinks, was okay for adults. I think it was called developing responsible individual behavior? And that sex was considered a bigger crime for 15 year olds than sneaking a cigaratte or two?

Yeah, how about that, shouldn't they be testing for sexual activity before they let these children in the astronomy club or whatever? (Relax, folks, I'M KIDDING!)

[SheLion]

Oh! I remember, alright. Sneaking cigarettes before we were 18 and maybe a 3.2 beer on the week-ends when we went to the sock hops. LOL! What a time it was. Simpler times.

[Max McGarrity]

Don't know about Congress critters, but last I heard Senators were permitted to set their own smoking policies in their own offices AND they have a very nice smoking area in their lunch room. In addition to being able to buy tax-free, or nearly so, cigarettes. Bastids.

[Just another Joe]

Good move. Illegal is illegal.

It's illegal for a minor to BUY tobacco. How many states is it illegal for a minor to SMOKE tobacco?
I'm not saying that smoking is good for them. I'm saying that this has gotten WAY out of hand and that, IMO, students that want to do extracurricular activities shouldn't be held to an extra higher standard.
Also that checking for nicotine is going WAY overboard considering that tobacco is a legal commodity that does not impair a persons judgement.

[VRWC_minion]

Possesion is illegal in Alabama which I believe this city is in

Table 2.
Youth Tobacco Laws
1992-2001

STATE	Citation	Youth Tobacco Law Description
AL	1999 Ala. Acts, Act 353 (HB 323)b	Establishes that a portion of the state's tobacco settlement money will be transferred from the 21st Century Fund to the Children First Trust Fund where the Legislature will appropriate funds upon the recommendation from the governor for programs authorized by the Children First Act.
	1998 Ala. Acts, Act 382 (HB 92)b	Creates the Children First Trust Fund and appropriates funds from the tobacco settlement.
	1997 Ala. Acts, Act 423 (SB 300)	Establishes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Council Board as the state agency responsible for regulating and enforcing state and federal laws on the sale of tobacco and associated products to minors under age 19. Minors who are found using or possessing tobacco are to be issued a citation and fined between $10 and $50.
	1997 Ala. Acts, Act 933 (SB 35)a	Appropriates $350,000 toward the regulation of children's access to tobacco.

Link to rundown on yout laws

Obvservation: The banning of cigarettes is occuring with the youth and is likely to push into higher ages as time goes by.

[VRWC_minion]

Also that checking for nicotine is going WAY overboard considering that tobacco is a legal commodity that does not impair a persons judgement..

With all due respect, the person who decides to smoke has impaired judgment.