Pubdate: Thu, 07 Feb 2008
Source: Holmen Courier (WI)
Copyright: 2008 The Holmen Courier
Contact:  http://www.holmencourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4136
Author: Robert Sharpe

DON'T LET THE KIDS BE DRUG WAR CASUALTIES

School districts aren't doing kids or parents any  favors by inviting 
drug-sniffing dogs into schools.  These days, zero tolerance poses a 
greater threat than  drugs.

According to the Monitoring the Future survey, 48  percent of U.S. 
high school seniors have tried an  illicit drug. Denying half the 
nation's youth an  education and the chance to grow up to become 
productive members of society is not in America's best  interest.

Most students 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 also is 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 drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe Arlington, Va.

Robert Sharpe is a policy analyst with Common Sense for  Drug Policy.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom