http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/06/20/EDGD56N5D71..DTL
EDITORIAL
Common sense prevails
Sunday, June 20, 2004
THE CONSEQUENCES of illicit drugs are so dangerous and well-
documented it's unnecessary -- perhaps even foolish -- to embellish on
the inevitable outcomes for those reckless enough to abuse them.
Drugs can cause immense physical, mental and emotional damage for
users, and immeasurable suffering for families and friends, too.
Clearly, the best defense against substance abuse is education and
examples to illustrate the personal devastation.
That's why the uproar over Narconon Drug Prevention and Education, the
popular anti-drug program that is administered for free to public
schoolchildren in San Francisco and elsewhere, is so disturbing.
After 13 years, Narconon, funded and staffed by the Church of
Scientology, is being accused of using misleading and inaccurate
information -- "irresponsible . . . pseudoscience'' is what a host of
medical experts are calling it.
Among the debunked teachings are Narconon claims that drugs are stored
in body fat, creating cravings and flashbacks that can be remedied
with perspiration and vitamins.
But worse than flawed science are indications that lessons are imbued
with religion -- "all the Scientology . . . basics," according to
church data obtained by The Chronicle.
Narconon denies the charges. Still, schools chief Arlene Ackerman has
given Narconon until June 24 to revise parts of its curriculum or be
barred from the district, and state Superintendent Jack O'Connell
wants the program probed.
Ackerman and O'Connell have rightly moved swiftly to makes sure
students get sound scientific information about drugs without any hype
or hint of theology.
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Where to find Fahrenheit 9/11: http://www.f911tix.com/
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