[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 43 (Monday, October 28, 1996)]
[Pages 2111-2112]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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;

[[Page 2112]]

    (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.