ARREST RECORD WORSE THAN POT

To The Packet:

Parents of Hilton Head High School students should be very worried the
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office drug task force is targeting their children.

According to the Monitoring the Future Survey, more than half of all high
school seniors admit to having used illegal drugs, so it should come as no
surprise that roughly two dozen students recently were caught on video
smoking marijuana. Most teen-agers 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 also is politically vulnerable when it comes to substance
abuse. 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
zero-tolerance drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe, program officer

Drug Policy Alliance Washington, D.C.