Pubdate: Wed, 02 Oct 2002 Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL) Website: http://www.n-jcenter.com/ Feedback: http://www.n-jcenter.com/letters.shtml Address: PO Box 2831, Daytona Beach, FL 32120-2831 Contact: http://www.news-journalonline.com/cgi-bin/forum/Ultimate.pl Copyright: 2002 News-Journal Corp Fax: 904-258-8465 Author: Robert Sharpe EVEN WORSE THAN DRUG ABUSE Re "Drug czar rips legalization 'lie,' " Sept. 24 article: That marijuana can be harmful if abused is not subject to debate. What drug czar John Walters seemingly fails to realize is that jail cells are not appropriate health interventions. As program officer for the Drug Policy Alliance in Washington, D.C., I know that most teenagers outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving drugs. An arrest and criminal record, on the other hand, can be life-shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), former President Bill Clinton opened himself up to "soft on drugs" criticism. And thousands of Americans have paid the price in the form of shattered lives. More Americans went to prison or jail during the Clinton administration than during any past administration. As an admitted former drinker and alleged illicit drug user, President George W. Bush is also politically vulnerable when it comes to drugs. While youthful indiscretions didn't stop Clinton or Bush from assuming leadership positions, an arrest surely would have. The short-term health effects of marijuana are inconsequential compared to the long- term effects of criminal records. Drug abuse is bad, but the zero tolerance drug war is worse. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens