An National ID? Is one neded?

Congress is considering a new plan called Pass ID that would require all American driver's licences to meet a set of national standards. Some say the card is necessary for national security. The idea arose after the 9/11 Commission called for a standard ID. Privacy advocates oppose the idea saying they'd give the government too much access to a citizen's private and personal information. States would be requires to keep copied of identifying documents like the ones used for travel.

The first plan, called Real ID was approved by Congress in 2005, but met resistance due to the $11 billion price tag. Some of the technical requirements have been eliminated and the new plan is winning support.

IS A NATIONAL ID A GOOD IDEA?

No Drugs in the Water

For years, doctors, pharmacists and even the federal government have advised people to flush unused medicine down the toilet. Trace amounts began to show up in the nation's water supply. Several years ago, the U.S. Geological Survey announced that tests on 139 streams in 30 states showed trace amounts of Prozac, codeine, antibiotics and drugs for high blood pressure and diabetes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found no immediate risk to people but suspects that drug contamination is causing ecological harm.

Legislation introduced this year in Congress would require the Justice Department to develop rules for "take-back" facilities. The government is urging people to seek "drug take-back programs" instead of flushing them. However, such programs are rare as it is illegal for people to give their controlled substances to others, even if it is just to get rid of them.

The federal government recommends mixing the drugs with "undesirable substances" like coffee grounds or kitty litter, placing them in a sealed container, and throwing them in the trash.