    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [October 19, 1996]
    [Pages 1868-1869]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Reducing Teenage Driving Under the Influence of Illicit
    Drugs
    October 19, 1996

    Memorandum for the Director of National Drug Control Policy, the
    Secretary of Transportation

    Subject: Reducing Teenage Driving Under the Influence of Illicit Drugs

        Over the last 4 years, we have worked hard to keep drugs off our
    streets and out of the hands of our children. Indeed, the number one
    goal of the 1996 National Drug Control Strategy is to motivate America's
    youth to reject illegal drugs and substance abuse. All Americans must
    accept responsibility for teaching our young people that drugs are
    illegal and confronting them with the consequences of using drugs. My
    Administration has elevated the Director of the Office of National Drug
    Control Policy to the Cabinet, supported drug testing of high school
    athletes before the United States Supreme Court, and defended the Safe
    and Drug Free Schools Program from congressional attempts to reduce its
    funding.
        Despite the progress we are making in reducing overall drug use in
    this country, we continue to see increasing trends in drug use among
    teens that began in the early 1990's. We, therefore, must still do more
    to confront this deadly problem.
        One of the critical areas where drugs threaten the health and safety
    of young people is on the roads. I have taken a tough stand against
    drinking and driving by young people--calling for and then signing into
    law a tough new ``zero tolerance'' policy that requires States to have
    laws allowing judges to take away the driver's licenses of young people
    who drive with any alcohol in their system.
        It is equally important that we be tough on those young people who
    drive under the influence of drugs. Every driver has the responsibility
    to drive safely and not injure themselves or others. The driver's
    license is a privilege that should not be available to those who fail to
    demonstrate responsible behavior. Denial of driving privileges to those
    who engage in illegal drug use can be a powerful incentive to stay away
    from and off drugs, particularly for teenagers. I believe we should
    consider drug-testing all minors applying for driver's licenses and
    requiring them to be found drug-free before they can obtain driver's
    licenses. Young people must understand that drug use cannot and will not
    be tolerated. Making licenses conditional on the driver being drug-free
    may prove to be an important and effective way to send that message.
        State and Federal laws recognize the relation between drugs and
    driving. It is illegal in every State to drive under the influence of
    drugs that impair driving performance. Seven States have enacted ``zero
    tolerance'' laws for drugs, which make it illegal to drive with any
    amount of an

    [[Page 1869]]

    illicit drug in the driver's body. Eighteen States suspend the licenses
    of persons convicted of drug offenses. And the Federal Section 410
    program authorizes grants to States with aggressive laws and programs to
    detect and sanction driving under the influence of drugs.
        To ensure that we are using every method possible to deter teenage
    drug use, I am directing you to develop a strategy to address the
    problem of young people driving under the influence of illegal drugs.
    Within 90 days, I would like you to report to me with recommendations on
    steps to be taken in at least the following areas:
        (1) Drug testing for minors applying for licenses; in particular,
            please provide guidance on how this can best be implemented,
            including possible guidance to States;
        (2) ``Zero Tolerance'' laws that make it illegal to drive with any
            amount of an illicit drug in the driver's body;
        (3) License revocation for those who are found to be driving under
            the influence of drugs;
        (4) License revocation as a sanction for other drug offenses;
        (5) How to eliminate obstacles to more effective identification and
            prosecution of drivers impaired by drugs;
        (6) Federal incentives for effective State programs to fight driving
            under the influence of drugs; and
        (7) Identification of technologies to assist State and local law
            enforcement in identifying and deterring drug and alcohol
            impaired driving.
        Your report should review current State and Federal laws and
    practices in these areas, the effectiveness of any such efforts in
    States to date, and any other areas that you believe would help to
    reduce the incidence of drug use by teens or driving under the influence
    of drugs generally. In preparing this report, you should consult with
    the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: This memorandum was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on October 18, and it was embargoed for release until October
    19.