DOES THE POLICY OF 'ZERO TOLERANCE' IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS HELP THE STUDENTS?

Zero tolerance policies in schools are cruel but necessary. Three
Orange County school districts and many experts are reevaluating the
zero tolerance policies. Although the policy itself is much too
heavy-handed and inflexible in terms of what it's trying to do, only
severe punishments can actually warn teen-agers not to addict
themselves to drugs and alcohol. Thus, banning this policy is
unreasonable.

If drug-addicted or drunken teenagers do not respect their lives, why
should we even consider further their chances of being educated? Why
should we sweat to claim fairness for them if their misdemeanor may
hurt others one day? Let's leave the policy alone!

Wendy Chi
Dana Point

I am writing about Laguna Unified School District's proposal to
instill a more therapeutic approach to students who are first-time
drug or alcohol offenders. I am a high school senior and I have seen
this policy in my own school. I believe that it is far too general to
promote a positive result in the future for first-time offenders. Zero
tolerance pays little attention to circumstances and leaves no room
for variance in punishments based on each individual situation. This
only instigates a higher chance for arbitrary accusations and unfair
convictions.

It is absurd to apply the same procedure to every situation involving
students and illegal substances while ignoring the
circumstances.

Karin Wanberg
Dana Point