I began informing myself on "drug war" issues last November using online resources such as DRCNet, Drug Policy Alliance, and the Media Awareness Project. I read several accounts of John Walters' "zero tolerance" anti-drugged driving campaign. So when I read a glowing newspaper report of proposed Utah legislation aimed at "drug impaired drivers," I was immediately suspicious.

The proposed legislation (requested by the Utah Statewide Association of Prosecutors) would have radically changed the Automobile Homicide law by no longer requiring prosecutors to prove impairment. Instead, Senate Bill 7 would have allowed prosecution if the defendant tested positive for "any measurable amount" of Schedule I or Schedule II drugs - regardless of whether or not the driver was impaired at the time of the accident.

SB7 sailed through the Senate during the first week of the 2003 Legislative session, while I was still getting my bearings and figuring out the legislative process. Over the next few weeks I proceeded through the basic "activist checklist." I published letters to the editor, I started a simple opposition web site, and I tried to interest members of the press in the issue. I also began communicating directly with legislators by email and phone.

By starting so late in the game, I really didn't have a chance to generate much support from other Utah citizens, but I was lucky enough to interest one congressman on the House standing committee, Republican LaVar Christensen. Christensen's articulate opposition to SB7 led the bill's sponsor to remove all of the drugged driving language from the bill. I wish the story could end there with an unqualified success. But the bill's sponsor was able to add a last minute and gratuitous penalty enhancement to drug possession when the possessor is involved in a serious traffic accident. Yes, Utah is still "tough on drugs."

I've learned two important lessons on my maiden voyage into fighting this misguided drug war. First, one person can make a difference. And second, Utah (every state, really) desperately needs an organized, stable network of citizens who can monitor and publicly debate drug war issues.