DRUG TESTS FOR POLITICIANS

THE reaction — especially by politicians — to the call for random drug tests
among our public servants (20/3) speaks volumes.

Given that such tests are quick and harmless, why the resistance? If our
politicians are living drug-free lives, such tests should present no
problem.

All the talk of "invasion of privacy" is beside the point. If an elected
representative is using illicit drugs, the public has a right to know. And
if he or she is not, they should be quite eager to let this be known.

Just as a chain-smoking politician may be influenced on his or her vote on
legislation relating to tobacco, or a porn-viewing politician may be
influenced on his/her vote on legislation relating to X-rated videos, surely
a drug-taking politician may be influenced on his/her vote of legislation
regarding the drug debate.

BILL MUEHLENBERG, National Secretary, Australian Family Association, North
Melbourne