Contradictions of ‘Zero Tolerance’

Unlike what UCI doctoral student Mike Males writes in “Orange County Voices,” July 13, I am one former school official who supports tough “zero-tolerance” standards on adult drunk drivers.

As a Newport-Mesa Unified School District board member in the 1980s, I supported one of the earliest zero-tolerance alcohol and drug standards for students in public schools. That zero-tolerance policy greatly reduced the number of students coming to our classrooms and school activities under the influence. It has worked. The consequences were known, firm and severe.

For the past year, I have been trying to find a member of the California Legislature to support zero-tolerance legislation for the adult drunk driver, but without luck. Instead, members of the Legislature choose to offer a bill which would require a red license plate on a vehicle operated by convicted drunk driver. Big deal!

In Alaska, for second-time drunk drivers, the car the person was driving [is sold]. Apparently [that] is similar to what happens to second-time drunk drivers in many European countries.

One innocent person killed by a second-time drunk driver is too many. We have had too many killed just this year in Orange County by the second-time drunk driver. It is time for the Legislature to get tough.

JIM DE BOOM

Newport Beach

* The article by Mike Males, “ ‘Zero Tolerance’ for Adults’ Hypocrisy,” shows clear examples, including reputable statistics, why our teen drug and alcohol education methods in this country do not work.

Kids are not given credit for being smart enough to know when adults speak out of both sides of their mouths. There is a difference between use and abuse. In our efforts to turn back the clock to the “good old days,” we have failed to make a clear distinction between the two.

Kids who learn about cigarettes in public schools are told that tobacco is a drug because that is what is printed in the 1994 Health Framework, which is used by California public schools to teach kids about such things. Tobacco is not a drug but it is lumped in the same category as marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, etc. (I’m sure the writers meant nicotine, but this little slip seems to have gotten by the entire writing committee and the editors). Kids know better. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program does not work, either. I love my Police Department, but I wish someone would end this “feel good” program and save taxpayers some money.

STEVE SMITH

Costa Mesa