500 E. Capitol Ave.

Pierre, SD 57501

(605) 773-3212

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, February 17, 2006

Contact:  Mark Johnston or Roxy Everson at 605-773-3212

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 17, 2006

 

The Honorable Matthew J. W. Michels

Speaker of the House

500 East Capitol Avenue

Pierre, SD 57501-5070

 

Dear Speaker Michels and Members of the House:

 

I hereby return House Bill 1147 and, pursuant to Article IV, Section 4, I hereby veto House Bill 1147 entitled An Act to revise certain eligibility restrictions related to secondary school extracurricular activities.

 

During the 1997 legislative session, the legislature passed, and Governor Janklow signed, a bill enacting SDCL § 13-32-9. By doing so, the legislature sent a clear message to the young people of South Dakota that the use of controlled substances or marijuana would not be tolerated and would result in an irrevocable 1-year suspension of the ability to participate in extracurricular activities.

 

SDCL § 13-32-9 sent a strong message to the young people of the state of South Dakota that students who participate in extracurricular activities and who thus are role models will not be allowed to use drugs and continue in those extracurricular activities without a realistic penalty.

 

I strongly believe that HB 1147 sends the wrong message to the young people of the state of South Dakota by reducing the 1-year loss of privileges to 60 days, thereby enabling those who are able to hire an attorney or obtain a favorable assessment from a certified chemical dependency counselor to essentially avoid any loss of extracurricular activities.

 

Extracurricular activities are a privilege, not a right. The students who participate in extracurricular activities are frequently seen as role models for younger persons, much as star professional athletes are seen as role models. I believe that it would be a step back for the state of South Dakota to lessen penalties such that a drug offense could be viewed as a mere slap on the wrist, as it is all too often with professional athletes. HB 1147 sends a negative image to young people in South Dakota. It is time to be clear about the message we send to our youth in South Dakota. The use of illegal drugs is wrong and there are certain and definite consequences if you choose to use illegal drugs. 

 

Sometimes peer pressure can be very strong. Providing a young person with a clear reason to resist inappropriate peer pressure to use illegal drugs can only help make the decision to say no to drugs easier. We should provide them with the reason to say no.

 

I therefore respectfully veto HB 1147.

 

I respectfully request your concurrence with my action.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

M. Michael Rounds

 

MMR:ls

 

cc:        The Honorable Dennis Daugaard