Pubdate: Sun, 02 Dec 2001
Source: Blade, The (OH)
Copyright: 2001 The Blade
Contact:  http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Author: Jim White

'ONE STRIKE' EVICTIONS ARE PATENTLY UNFAIR

The Supreme Court would do well to strike down Housing and Urban 
Development 's "one-strike drug policy" evicting entire families for the 
indiscretions of a single member, whether on or off HUD property.

The mere idea that a tenant would have implicit knowledge of the current, 
future, or consequential actions or intentions of every member of their 
family or visitors to the residence strains reality. To be certain, there 
are times when things are self-evident. Otherwise, to have such intimate 
knowledge would require a godly stature.

During medieval times it was common for entire families to be punished for 
the crimes of a single member. But our justice system is based primarily on 
protecting the innocent, even if the guilty are sometimes set free. That 
standard should not be lowered, even in publicly funded housing projects.

Moreover such zero-intelligence, zero-tolerance policies do nothing to 
reduce drug use or demand. Displacing drug users and drug addicts to the 
streets only serves to increase and disburse crime, exacerbate the problem 
of addiction, and hamper the ability of social services to reach those most 
in need of treatment, counseling, educational services, and job training.

HUD's rule serves no purpose other than to allow politicos to appear to be 
"tough on drugs" while accomplishing little more than relocating drug users 
to other parts of the city.

JIM WHITE

Oregon
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MAP posted-by: Beth