Pubdate: Wed, 28 Feb 2007
Source: Chetek Alert, The (WI)
Copyright: 2007 The Chetek Alert
Contact:  http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1134
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4028
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n237/a02.html
Note: title by newshawk

ZERO TOLERANCE GREATER THREAT THAN DRUGS

The Chetek City Council won't be doing students or parents any favors 
if it purchases a police K-9 unit for drug sweeps in local schools. 
These days zero tolerance poses a greater threat to students than 
drugs. According to the Monitoring the Future survey, over half of 
all high school seniors have tried an illicit drug. Denying a 
majority of the nation's youth an education and the chance to grow up 
to become productive members of society is not in America's best interest.

Most students outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving drugs. 
An arrest and criminal record, on the other hand, can be 
life-shattering. 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, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom