ALLOW CHILDREN TO LEARN AND GROW UP

Regarding the recent school drug arrests in Alamance County:

These days zero tolerance drug policies pose a greater threat to students
than drugs. According to the "Monitoring the Future" survey, more than 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. 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. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe

Washington

The writer is a policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy.