TR>The beginning of any zero tolerance program is usually massive publicity, 
an
TR>this is for a very good reason. We tell the folks that the public drunks 
and
While you are correct Tom, The problem with ZERO tolerance policies in
many areas is that they do not reflect reality and may well KILL people.
YES KILL
Now a "Zero Tolerance" policy on alcohol in drivers I support. Anyone of
any age with alcohol in his system (or any of another drugs) should not
be driving.
But this fails to take into account a few facts.
Some drugs are adminsterd under prescription, or non-perscription but
still at a doctor's orders.  These drugs, used properly, will not affect
your ability to drive (Though they may affect your ability to live far
longer than you could without them... I should know)
Even ALCOHOL has medicinal properties and may be prescribed IN
MODERATION.  (BAC to be kept below .025 in most people)
Thus, ZERO tolerance is not reasonable... .05% bac is reasonable
(though that would sure clear a lot of drivers off the road)
Or, .00 without a doctor's slip and .05 with,  That works too
(Alcohol works like NITRO on some patients with heart problems by the
way)
I'm an insulin requiring diabetic, I'm also hypertensive (Small wonder
considering my job, dispatcher) thus I take prescription medication.
The first time I took one of my Blood Pressure med's I was glad to not
be driving (But then the body adjusted and now it seems not to affect
me, I know why it affected me, and it is a one time thing)
There are movements to ban diabetics from driving by the way
(If they do that I'll get real upset unless they also ban those who
consume alcohol, IN ANY QUANITY)
Finally, Schools often have ZERO TOLERANCE policies on drugs.
This includes the Asmathic's inhaler
This includes the Diabetic's Insulin
And one type 1 Diabetic student was suspended for giving a glucose
tablet to a classmate.  They did not ask what it was (Sugar, Pure sugar)
they just threw him out.
Now that is going a bit too far in my book
Do we need ZERO tolerance... YES
But we need it moderated by the reckognation of needs of indivigules
Personally, In the case of the gluco-tab, I'd have forced the suspension
of the adminstration of the school for passing out the very same "Drug"
in the faculity coffee lounge (Sugar, as put in coffee)
 * SLMR 2.1a * SMILE: A slight curve that strightens things out.
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