Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 Source: Idaho State Journal (ID) Copyright: 2000 Idaho State Journal Contact: PO Box 431, Pocatello ID 83204 Fax: 208-233-8007 Website: http://www.journalnet.com/ Author: Robert Sharpe ZERO TOLERANCE RHETORIC How effective can drug courts be when they rely upon forced coercion? In order for treatment to be truly effective - and not necessarily preceded by an arrest - legislators are going to have to tone down the zero tolerance rhetoric of the drug war. Zero tolerance attitudes discourage the type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate treatment. Driving illicit drug addiction underground is counterproductive and only compounds the problem. We're making a big mistake by criminalizing illicit substance abuse. Imagine if every alcoholic in America were denied treatment due to lack of funds. Now take that one step further. Imagine if every alcoholic were thrown in jail and given a permanent criminal record. How many lives would be destroyed? How many families torn apart and career aspirations shattered? How many tax dollars would be wasted turning potentially productive members of society into hardened criminals? Substance abuse is a public health problem that requires the healing hands of medical professionals, not punishment at the hands of law enforcement. Increased treatment options like drug courts are a step in the right direction, but until peace is declared in the failed drug war the success of treatment will be limited. Robert Sharpe, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, George Washington University - ---