Young reformers challenge old guard ONDCP lackeys

Our young hero, Tom Angell is at it again, throwing a wrench in the ONDCP's propaganda machine. Tom attended a drug testing summit in Pittsburgh, PA where he threw some cold truth on the hot lies of the ONDCP's drug testing scam.

Our objective was simple: prevent the ONDCP from being able to present itself as all-knowing and authoritative on the topic of student drug testing in front of an audience of open-minded educators and school officials who are rightly concerned with preventing substance abuse among their students.

Since summit attendees were truly concerned with keeping their students safe, our primary argument against drug testing was that it simply does not work. The largest study ever conducted on the topic looked at 722 schools and 76,000 students and found no difference in drug use between schools that test their students and those that don't. ONDCP is well aware of this study and has been attacking its methodology for some time now.

Armed with fact sheets and well honed talking points, Angell and his colleague Ross Wilson, put the ONDCP on the defense and Angell bravely crashed the deputy drug czar Mary Ann Solberg's press gaggle afterward offering to give interviews. He was kicked out of the room by the fact fearing prohibitionists but the journalist's sought him out later and he gave several interviews to major media including, The Beaver County Times , Pittsburgh Tribune Review and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Tom also offers some behind the scenes tidbits.

Later, when asked what she thought of drug testing opponents' arguments, I overheard Solberg telling a journalist she's "concerned" students are organizing against drug testing. Clearly, our efforts are meaningful when a federal drug official tells the media that she's concerned about us.

...Throughout the day. Ross and I had encouraging conversations with school officials who were opposed to or skeptical about student drug testing. At the conclusion of the summit, an official from the Department of Education asked how many folks were thinking of taking advantage of the federal grant money that's been made available for student drug testing. Only five or six people in the room raised their hands.

A good day's work for our youngest reformers. Thanks guys and if you want information or want assistance to confront the ONDCP when they come to a venue near you, contact:

Tom Angell, Communications Director
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
1623 Connecticut Ave NW; Suite 300
Washington, DC 20009
phone: (202) 293-4414
cell: (202) 557-4979
fax: (202) 293-8344
Daregeneration.com