U.S. Representatives John Peterson (R-Pa.) and James Rogan (R-Calif.) responded to last week’s Littleton, Colorado school shooting by announcing that they will introduce a pair of bills allowing school officials to submit students to random drug tests.
NORML Executive Director R. Keith Stroup, Esq. criticized the proposals. “While the Littleton shooting was obviously a tragedy, police confirmed that the suspects were drug free. It is shameful for these members of Congress to exploit this tragedy to advance their misguided, drug war agenda.”
Peterson’s measure would authorize participating school districts to administer random testing to students. Federal grants would defray 50 percent of the costs associated with the testing, an aide to Peterson said. The bill is scheduled to be introduced in Congress next week.
Rogan’s staff said he will introduce a similar bill today.
For more information, please contact either Keith Stroup of NORML @ (202) 483-5500.