COLLATERAL DAMAGE

To The Editors:

Tara Servatius' April 3 column ("Time To Clean House") on the "one- strike,
you're out" policy of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development
failed to fully acknowledge the law's potential collateral damage. The zero
tolerance measure requires that entire families be evicted from public
housing if anyone, even a guest, uses drugs. The youthful indiscretions of
a rebellious teenager could result in homelessness for an entire family.

According to the Monitoring the Future Survey, over half of all high school
seniors have tried an illegal drug at least once. Exposing 50 percent of
all families living in public housing to the dangers of living on the
street is not the answer to America's drug problem. Most teenagers 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), Clinton opened himself
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 zero tolerance drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe Program Officer Drug Policy Alliance Washington, DC