Pubdate: Wed, 27 Mar 2002
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2002 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://www.bostonherald.com/news.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53

A WIN FOR PUBLIC HOUSING

The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday struck a blow for common 
sense with a ruling that will allow speedy evictions aimed at ridding 
public housing of drug users.

The unanimous decision (with Justice Stephen Breyer not taking part in the 
ruling) upheld a 1988 federal law that allows the eviction of an entire 
family when one member of that family is known to be involved with illegal 
drugs.

Yes, it's harsh. And yes, some innocent people will suffer as a result. But 
those who must live in public housing have every right to live in a safe 
environment too. And that means a drug-free environment, one where parents 
don't have to be afraid that their young children can't visit a neighbor 
without running into the local pusher.

In the Oakland, Calif., case which brought the issue to the attention of 
the high court, 63-year-old Pearlie Rucker faced eviction after her 
mentally disabled daughter was caught in possession of cocaine three blocks 
from the apartment. Rucker and other family members all faced eviction from 
the unit they shared.

"Any drug-related activity engaged in by the specified persons is grounds 
for termination, not just drug-related activity that the tenant knew, or 
should have known, about," Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote for the court.

This is ultimately about the greater good. That's what Congress had in mind 
and that's what this decision puts first as well.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager