Letter: Zero tolerance not the answer

Tuesday, April 2, 2002 | 8:34 a.m.

Your March 28 editorial on the "one-strike, you're out" policy of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was right on target.

The zero tolerance law requires that entire families be evicted from public housing if anyone, even a guest, uses drugs. The youthful indiscretions of a rebellious teenager could result in homelessness for an entire family.

According to the latest "Monitoring the Future" survey (an ongoing University of Michigan youth-research program funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse), over half of all high school seniors have tried an illegal drug at least once.

Exposing 50 percent of all families living in public housing to the dangers of living on the street is not the answer to America's drug problem. 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), President 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. Zero tolerance does more harm than good.

ROBERT SHARPE Washington, D.C.

Editor's note: The writer is a program officer with Drug Policy Alliance, a Washington-based organization working to broaden public debate on drug policy.