High on Propaganda

I can't figure out which of the following four snippets of this article on "drugging and driving" is more ridiculous.

In March, 16-year-old Jessica Easter of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., was killed as she tried to get out of an SUV driven by Stephen L. Meloni, 19, a Harriton High School graduate who had twice the legal amount of alcohol in his system. Meloni also tested positive for marijuana. In addition, police found nearly 80 grams of the drug in his vehicle.

This was supposed to be an example of the dangers of driving while smoking marijuana, but I'm not sure I understand how this situation has anything to do with driving ability. If the girl was trying to get out of a moving car*, that has nothing to do with a person's ability to drive a car while stoned. Especially when the driver has twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system.

Researchers say that marijuana, which has become more potent over the years, affects judgment, concentration, perception, coordination and reaction time - all skills needed for safe driving. The greatest risk is in the first 24 hours.

24 hours? That's some good shit.

In 2003, members of NAIVE (Narcotic, Alcohol, Inhalant & Violence Education) began visiting schools, said founder Dan Baranoski, a Middletown Police Department detective. During presentations, he said, the group drums the message about drugging and driving. "When the topic of pot comes up," he said, "half of (the students) cheer. . . . They think it's not that bad."

I sent Baranoski a little letter the first time I subbed for the General as I went to high school in that area myself. The fact that he chose the acronym NAIVE is beyond funny.

That finding is worrisome, Walsh said, because marijuana combined with a beer or two can produce a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit in many states. It's more than seven times Pennsylvania's limit for drivers under 21.

Yes, you read that correctly, marijuana can increase your blood alcohol level. Wow.

[nod to Terry]

* UPDATE: A commenter writes the following about the accident involving Jessica Easter:

Also please take this out "If the girl was trying to get out of a moving car"... it was in no way her fault and unfortunately she can not tell you that. I know what it's like reading an article and thinking it's so remote from your own life.. you can't even imagine the pain it's still inflicting 2 monthes later. I still cry myself to sleep everynight...