PUSHING DRUGS IN SCHOOL, IN ANY FORM, IS A CRIME

I'm glad letter-writer Andre Roman's intent is not to try and convince
anyone that Christopher Corker should go unpunished ["Pot-brownie
punishment should not be overly harsh," March 21]. If Corker did what he
has been charged with, he broke the law.

Roman pointed out that Corker is of the age of majority. Then he asks us
adults to look back to our youth, as if to say Corker is just a child.
Roman says Corker's alleged prank caused no harm. He said Corker did not
bring a weapon to school, just (according to police) dope. No one got sick,
so everything is OK.

To how many of his fellow students did Corker reveal the brownies'
ingredients? Does anyone think the parents of the kids he gave the brownies
to care about Corker's college and career plans?

How about if, the next time, someone is allowed to bring beer or wine
coolers to wash dope-laced brownies down? And let's not forget cigarettes.
Then we can write it all off to the exuberance of youth. That is, as long
as they don't say grace before eating the brownies. Then the American Civil
Liberties Union would jump in.

Indeed, let's keep this in perspective. Let's say that an adult student is
passing out dope to high-school students on school property. Have the
punishment fit the crime as Andre Roman suggested.

The crimes I see are: possession of dope, distribution, dealing with a
known criminal (the person who sold him the dope), and endangering others.
You don't give someone pushing dope on school property community service.
He is not the victim.

Robert King

Spotsylvania