HARSH DRUG SENTENCES HARMFUL TO YOUNG PEOPLE

The draconian prison sentence handed down to former MSU running back
Dontae Walker is a prime example of how zero tolerance poses a greater
threat to youth than drugs. According to the Monitoring the Future
survey, over half of all high school seniors have tried an illicit
drug.

Denying a majority of 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. 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, 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. Students who
want to help end the intergenerational culture war, known as the war
on some drugs, should contact Students for Sensible Drug Policy at
www.ssdp.org

Robert Sharpe

Robert Sharpe is a policy analyst for the Common Sense for Drug Policy