DRUG-USE SURVEYS DONE BY GOVERNMENT CAN'T BE TRUSTED

Fran Hathaway's June 2 column "Drug use down -- but it depends" quotes Jim
McDonough, director of Florida's Office of Drug Control, who cites results
from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse as proof of drug-war
success. The government survey "collects data by administering
questionnaires to a representative sample of the population through
face-to-face interviews at their place of residence." In other words,
respondents are asked to confess criminal activity to government
representatives in residences subject to civil asset forfeiture. So-called
anonymous surveys that rely on the self- reporting of drug use are
virtually worthless in this age of zero tolerance. School-based surveys
suffer from similar underreporting.

Teenagers know that honesty could result in drug-sniffing dogs, locker
searches and arrests. Most teenagers outgrow their youthful indiscretions
involving drugs. A criminal conviction and record, on the other hand, can
be life-shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling),
former President Clinton opened himself up to "soft on drugs" criticism.
And thousands of Americans have paid the price by going to prison or jail.

The short-term health effects of popular illicit drugs such as marijuana
are inconsequential compared with the long-term effects of criminal
records. An honest cost-benefit analysis of the zero- tolerance drug war is
long overdue. Destroying the futures of kids who make unhealthy choices
doesn't benefit anyone.

ROBERT SHARPE

Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance

Washington

Editor's note: The Drug Policy Alliance, formerly known as the Lindesmith
Center/Drug Policy Foundation, promotes "alternatives to the war on drugs."
--------------------------------------------------------
Bush Vetoes Showed The Wrong Priorities

Gov. Bush found it not important to finance needed programs such as truancy
prevention and methadone outpatient treatment, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis
prevention services ("State budget grows greener," June 6). These programs
affect the essence of daily living for those at risk and/or dependent on
these services. What shortsightedness; this is so typical of those born
with silver spoons in their mouths. Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast
combined cuts totaled a mere $3.3 million.

But Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute received $13 million for a marine
science degree program. This is more important?

DENISE M. MITCHELL

Boca Raton