The President of the United States
Executive Office of the President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500


Dear President Bush;

The Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA), a 1000 member association representing professionals in all facets of the drug and alcohol testing industry, would like to commend you for signing the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (H.R. 1) into law. This legislation is a milestone for the country, its children, and our industry, as it represents the first time that federal funds have been authorized to support school drug testing programs as part of a comprehensive drug and alcohol free school program.

DATIA has been highly supportive of measures by Congress that target schools in an effort to curb drug and alcohol use by children, and strongly believes that drug and alcohol testing programs are a key component of prevention programs to ensure drug and alcohol free schools. The testing component coupled with educational prevention programs ensures the safety, academic success, and psychological growth of students. The transportation industry has successfully shown that workplace drug and alcohol testing serves as an effective deterrent to drug use and alcohol abuse amongst its employers. With the passage of H.R. 1, these same principles that have worked so well in drug free workplace programs can be applied to drug free school systems to ensure that all children are offered the opportunity to receive the education that they deserve, in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Supreme Court will hear a case on the constitutionality of school drug testing later this year, and DATIA is optimistic that the constitutionality of this crucial element of deterring drug use will be upheld. Our association and its members see the passage of H.R. 1 as a turning point in the fight to protect our nation’s children from illegal drug use and the long lasting effects that such use would have on their lives. Again, we commend and thank you for this monumental legislation.


Sincerely,



Laura E. Shelton
Executive Director