Pubdate: Tue, 25 Mar 2003
Source: Post-Standard, The (NY)
Copyright: 2003, Syracuse Post-Standard
Contact:  http://www.syracuse.com/poststandard/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/686
Author: Robert Sharpe

ZERO TOLERANCE WORSE THAN ABUSE OF DRUGS

To the Editor:

In her thoughtful column March 18 on the failure of Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education, Anna Call notes more than half of high school seniors have tried 
drugs. School-based zero-tolerance policies pose a greater threat to youth 
than drugs: Denying youth an education is not in America's interest.

Most teenagers outgrow their drug indiscretions. 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. Thousands of Americans paid the 
price in shattered lives: More were locked up under Clinton than any past 
administration.

As an admitted former drinker and alleged drug user, President George Bush 
is also politically vulnerable. While youthful indiscretions didn't stop 
Clinton or Bush, an arrest surely would have. The short-term health effects 
of marijuana are inconsequential compared to a criminal record. Drug abuse 
is bad, but zero-tolerance is worse.

Robert Sharpe

program officer Drug Policy Alliance Arlington, Va.
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