LAW WOULD TAKE STUDENT DRIVERS OFF THE ROAD IF THEY USE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS AT
SCHOOL

Ashley Hunter got her ticket to teenage freedom a month ago when she
passed her driver's test and smiled for the camera at the Office of
Motor Vehicles - she got her driver's license.

She exercised her new adolescent independence by taking some
girlfriends to the mall Wednesday in her grandmother's car.

While Hunter said she's not the type of student that would be caught
with alcohol or drugs at school, she's not sure that a new law
stripping students of their coveted driving privileges is the answer
to curbing teenage substance abuse.

"It seems like you should get a warning or something first," she said,
"but people don't need to be doing that at school anyway."

The Louisiana Legislature passed the "Driving is a Privilege" law in
2003, and it's now becoming a part of school district rulebooks across
the state to be enforced starting this fall.

Students ages 14 to 18 will lose their licenses for a year if they are
suspended for 10 consecutive days for battery on school staff or
possessing drugs, alcohol or firearms.

"I think it's wonderful," said Rapides Parish assistant Superintendent
Lyle Hutchinson. "Driving gives a kid everything - status, mobility.
It's a super-big carrot that you can hold out there to get them to do
the things they ought to be doing."

In the 2002-03 school year, 44 Rapides Parish students were suspended
for having drugs, 14 for alcohol and 28 for weapons.

Students face a mandatory 30-day suspension for alcohol and at least
one year for drugs. They are sent to Rapides Motivational Center,
which will offer student transportation for the first time in the fall.

Tony Thompson, 15, waited for his ride at Alexandria Senior High
School Wednesday after finishing another session of driver's education
- - one step closer to getting his driver's license.

He said he's not sure the new law will influence those students with
real drug problems.

"If students have just started using, this rule might affect their
decisions to do it at school," Thompson said. "But those who are going
to do it will probably do it." He noted students without cars might
better respond to threats of a curfew or restricted athletics.

Peabody Magnet High senior Asia Williams believes those students who
already disregard the rules probably would still drive if their
licenses were taken away. She also hopes students don't get wrongfully
accused with such high-stakes.

The law allows for students to file an appeal or apply for hardship
exceptions.

"You just need to know the circumstances," Williams said.