TACTICS OF WAR ON DRUGS ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE TARGET

In his thoughtful March 22 column on Oconee County High School's
controversial use of drug-sniffing dogs, Ben Bartlett notes that the
invasive practice has yielded nothing more than a few minor marijuana
busts. Denying at-risk students the chance to graduate from high
school won't help them from being productive, taxpaying members of
society.

Most teen-agers outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving drugs.
A criminal conviction and record, on the other hand, can be life
shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling),
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 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 drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A. Drug Policy Alliance, program officer Washington, D.C.