Striving to live up to
principles
Bravo to Michael Kleckner for outlining his personal and political struggle with drug testing (“Testing the limits of my Principles,” ODE, Jan. 10). I admit I’ve peed in a fair share of cups because my ambition burned brighter than my principles, so I admire Kleckner for turning down a prestigious internship opportunity last year to protest the drug test.
And I also admire him for taking the drug test this year because, on balance, this year’s internship opportunity is too good to pass up.
At least he’s raising the questions and coming up with answers — and a moral scale — he can live with.
Almost all University students heading into the work world are probably going to face the little plastic cup. Some studies estimate as many as 80 percent of American companies require drug testing as a condition of employment. So whether the issue is one of principle for you — or whether you think you might fail a drug test if you had to take one — start thinking about it now.
Pam Cytrynbaum
visiting assistant professor of journalism internship coordinator