DRUG LEGALIZATION, CELL-PHONE PRACTICES SPARK STUDENT OPINIONS IN SOUTHINGTON

SOUTHINGTON -- The possibility of legalizing marijuana and other
recreational drugs got high school students talking. State Rep. Ann
Dandrow, R-30th District, visited three classes at Southington High School
Thursday morning as part of a legislators' back-to-school week.

She asked the juniors at SHS how they would vote if they were deciding
hot-button issues such as legalizing drugs and lowering the blood-alcohol
limit.

Dandrow explained how a bill becomes law, using the recent bill asking for
money for reconstruction of SHS as an example. She also asked U.S. history
students how they felt about legalizing marijuana; some said only for
medicinal purposes.

"Otherwise, it would be stupid," said student Matthew Zadrowski. "All the
people would be high everywhere. It should only be for medicinal purposes.
I agree with that."

Several students favored legalization of marijuana and some other drugs.

"The state is missing out on millions of dollars by not legalizing drugs,"
said student Rick Cekovsky.

Other students disagreed with the argument that taking in more tax money
would be worth it, saying the drugs are poisonous. The students laughed
when one suggested ordinary pharmacies such as CVS would one day sell
Ecstasy and other substances now available in dark alleys. Students got
their opportunity to participate in the democratic process -- She had the
students vote on legalizing drugs and eight voted to legalize, 13 voted no,
and four abstained.

Students were also eager to give Dandrow opinions on whether to ban cell
phone usage while driving.

"I'm a one-handed driver myself; I can do whatever I want with my other
hand," said Cekovsky.

"It's a breach of my freedom," said student John Magnoli. "And talking with
someone next to you is a distraction."

Dandrow tossed out the idea of having students debate whether the driving
age should be raised from 16 to 18, but ducked that as soon as a boy said
"Do you even have to ask?" The students in Dan Murawski's AP U.S. history
class did favor retesting senior citizens' driving skills, though.

"Their reflexes slow down drastically," said Zadrowski. "If they can pass,
they should have no problem [with the bill.]"

"The elderly are saying they have less accidents than younger [people],"
Dandrow said. "There's a flip side to everything."