Bill would flag licenses of drug offenders

Driver’s licenses would be flagged with the words “drug offender” in orange for people twice-convicted of felony drug crimes, under a proposal headed to the state House of Representatives for debate. Rep. Rickey Hardy, D-Lafayette, said the special driver’s license would serve as a deterrent to people in committing drug crimes and would help police officers know the possible danger they could encounter in a routine traffic stop. The House Transportation Committee approved the bill today without objection. Though no one voted against the bill, several lawmakers questioned whether convicted drug dealers would simply get licenses from other states to avoid the tagged Louisiana license. They also questioned whether the measure would stop anyone from criminal activity. “I don’t know what all it will achieve, but I think it makes a strong, bold statement,” says Rep. Henry Burns, R-Haughton. Rep. Barbara Norton, D-Shreveport, says the bill goes too far, further punishing people who have already served any mandated prison time. “I think this is wrong, I think this is not the American way and I don’t see how this is going to stop crime,” says Norton, who didn’t vote against the measure.