STUPIDITY OF ZERO-TOLERANCE

Here's What You Said About: School That Suspended Student Whose Jacket
Smelled Of Pot

I have seen no better indictment of the stupidity of zero-tolerance drug
policies than the story about a teenager being suspended from school on the
say-so of a dog -- and no drugs were found. A canine jury pronouncing guilt
is certainly a novel approach to jurisprudence. But will it really stand up
to a Charter challenge?

I can think of no better way to teach teenagers utter contempt for the law
than with such obviously arbitrary and unjust actions. Are they students or
prisoners? I hope that boy and his parents sue the asses off both the
principal and the school board. They certainly deserve it. Welcome to the
21st century, kids. Repeat after me: You are guilty until proven innocent,
you are guilty until proven innocent ...

Chris Donald,

Dartmouth, N.S.