From: state@mpp.org
Reply-To: state@mpp.org
To: cwsiv@keepandbeararms.com

Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2004 15:10:15 -0500 
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Please distribute this memo widely. Forward to family and friends in California, or ask them to visit http://www.mpp.org/CA
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TO:      California residents*

FROM:    Karen O'Keefe, MPP legislative analyst

DATE:    Saturday, March 27, 2004

SUBJECT: Sensible drug testing bill receives hearing

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Isn't it time we stop treating our children as criminals and forcing them to take drug tests without just cause?

A bill in the California Senate, S.B. 1386, would stop suspicionless drug testing of students and put other sensible restrictions on
student drug testing. School officials would need a concrete, written reason to suspect a student before testing him or her. And students
couldn't be singled out for testing based on their race, class, gender, or sexual orientation.

On Tuesday, testimony was taken on S.B. 1386 in the Committee on Education and Health and Human Services. The committee will complete the hearing and vote on the bill on Wednesday, March 31. So this is the perfect time for your legislators to hear from you: Please ask them to support S.B. 1386.

Please take a few moments to visit http://www.mpp.org/CA/action.html . After you choose your favorite pre-written letter and type in your address, our site will automatically e-mail your letter to your legislators ... all with the click of a few buttons. The whole process
takes less than two minutes, but it makes a world of difference. Also, you can print the letters and send them to your legislators through
regular mail.

S.B. 1386, sponsored by Sen. John Vasconcellos (D-Senate District 13), would also prohibit drug testing without a parent's prior written consent. S.B. 1386 recognizes students' right to privacy, and it would prevent wasteful and ineffective spending on random drug tests. For the full text of the bill, see http://www.mpp.org/CA/bills_847.html .

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please tell others about this site so that even more voices can speak out for
reform.