Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jun 2005
Source: Virginia Gazette, The (Williamsburg, VA)
Copyright: 2005 The Virginia Gazette
Contact:  http://www.vagazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3760
Author: Vickie Kavanaugh

USE DRUG SCREENS FOR TEENS

I am concerned about drug use by adolescents in our
community.

As an alternative to drug testing in our schools, I suggest that we
examine the possibility of making a clean drug screen mandatory for
high school students to obtain a driver's license. Drug screens could
be required to be obtained through private physicians or labs with
proper safeguards, such as those used for employment drug testing.

The results could be presented in court prior to parents receiving
their child's license to drive. New drivers are informed that driving
is a privilege and not a right. With that privilege comes the
responsibility to remain free of drugs and alcohol.

This procedure would target nearly all of our teens, not just those
involved in athletics or extracurricular activities at school. Parents
would know the results of the test and could respond and follow up
appropriately.

In addition, we could increase the safety of not only the teens
themselves, but the community as a whole, by keeping potentially
impaired adolescents off of our roadways.

VICKIE KAVANAUGH

James City 
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