DRUG WAR'S SOLUTION SHOULDN'T BE EVICTION

The Supreme Court ruled last week that government agencies can use
aggressive eviction policies to rid public housing of drug users.

While this ruling is seen as an effective tool to combat drug use, one
aspect of the law seems to be contradictory to the spirit of the war on
drugs. Entire families can be evicted for drug use by one member, whether
other family members are aware of substance abuse by the offending member
or not.

Families -- from tiny children to live-in grandparents -- can be rendered
homeless by thoughtless actions of one individual. Families have often come
to the end of their housing options by the time they land in public
housing. With even that option stripped away, many would have no place to
turn. Though the administration's stated emphasis is on family values,
burdens indicated by this law would do little to help a those already
living under the hardships of poverty and at the end of their housing choices.

Landlords aren't cops, nor are they trained in police procedures to deal
with volatile family situations. Yet, the ruling puts a burden on public
housing leaders to act as police for their housing complexes.

While recognizing the necessity for stringent measures to make housing safe
and drug-free for all occupants, the law is unduly harsh on families of
drug users.

Criminals, including drug abusers, should be punished to the full extent of
the law. But innocents, including those already living under difficult
circumstances, should not be displaced from their homes by illegal and
irresponsible actions of others.