The draconian prison sentence handed down to former MSU running back Dontae Walker is a prime example of how zero tolerance poses a greater threat to youth 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. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), former president Bill Clinton opened himself up to “soft on drugs” criticism. 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, 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. Students who want to help end the intergenerational culture war, known as the war on some drugs, should contact Students for Sensible Drug Policy at www.ssdp.org.
Robert Sharpe is a policy analyst for the Common Sense for Drug Policy.