CANDIDATES SHOULD TAKE DRUG TESTS

Editor:

Why not require candidates for public office to take a drug test? This
is a question being asked by many citizens. Most major employers
require their employees to pass drug tests. Athletes and many others
have to also. So why not those who are elected by the voters to run
and manage our governments at all levels, city, state and national?

Soon many candidates will be launching their election campaigns These
candidates are asking the people to hire them to manage our tax
dollars and enforce our laws. At any level of government these
elective offices are the most important jobs in our country. No doubt
many will be elected without the education or experience to do the
job.

This is a problem, but not the big problem of today's society. It is
drugs, including alcohol. Almost daily we read where an elected
official is placed on leave to get assistance for substance abuse.
Think. These people were elected to manage our governments at all
levels, city, state and federal.

Since it appears that none of the legislative bodies, state or
federal, have the backbone to pass a law requiring candidates to pass
drug tests before filing for office it is up to the voters. When a
candidate asks for our vote we should ask if they are willing to take
a drug test and also if they will challenge their opponents to do
likewise. This will get our message across.

I feel certain candidates who volunteer for drug tests and challenges
their opponents to do the same are going to get a lot of votes.

How severe is the drug problem in politics? Example: President Bill
Clinton said he smoked some marijuana, but never inhaled. President
Bush is an admitted reformed alcoholic, but when asked about snorting
cocaine and smoking pot he stonewalled.

Stoney Hardcastle, Wilburton