Public Office Candidates Should Take Drug Tests

[BlueMystic]

CANDIDATES SHOULD TAKE DRUG TESTS
Author: Stoney Hardcastle
Sat, 27 May 2006
McAlester News-Capital (OK)

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.