Dear Editor:

With the "Yazer 2-Point Merit Plan" proposed by Jack Yazer, drivers under
the age of 21 would face yearly drug tests to keep a licence. Drugs are a
problem "out of control" with our youth, says Mr.Yazer.

Has anyone told him that sex, alcohol use, depression, boredom,
discrimination, and violence are issues that need to be addressed, too?

Mr. Yazer paints a bleak picture of a typical Nova Scotian youth, high on
drugs and driving out of control. Nevertheless, once this reckless driver
hits the magical age of 21, all these wild behaviours stop. Just as once
people reach the age of 19, they begin to drink responsibly.
The Yazer plan would add enormous amounts of paperwork to the Department of
Transportation and put another strain on our health-care system. Doctors
would waste valuable patient time filling out certificates, and hospitals
would face an overflow of testing.

I applaud Mr.Yazer for trying to better the lives of youth. However, you
can't legislate common sense. The problem of drug use can not be magically
stopped with the implementation of this plan.

Jennifer Henderson
Antigonish