Pubdate: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 Source: Orange County Register (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Orange County Register Contact: http://www.ocregister.com/ Author: Bob Carver Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n1012.a01.html I HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE ...FOR ZERO TOLERANCE Reading your editorial on the school system's zero-tolerance policies brought to mind an incidence in my son's last year of high school just 15 years ago ["Nothing redeems zero tolerance rules," Commentary, Sept. 12]. He was caught with alcohol on his breath at an off-campus school function. The repercussions were swift but tempered with reason. He was suspended from school for four days and had to make up all the missed work. Thankfully for a thoughtful and reasonable assistant principal who handled this matter, my son not only graduated with all his friends on time but graduated with honors, was the Orange County Scholar Athlete of the Year and received a water-polo scholarship to USC where he earned a B.S. in business. Today, he is an honest and ethical businessman earning his way through life. God forbid that he had fallen under the zero-tolerence policy that would have torn his and our world apart. A little common sense is called for here. Bob Carver Fullerton - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake