Pubdate: Fri, 20 Sep 2002 Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL) Copyright: 2002 The Pensacola News Journal Contact: http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675 RIGID DRUG POLICY FREEZES OUT REASON The sad case of a 15-year-old Pensacola High School honor student, caught up in a mess over a bag of pills that now threatens her college future, speaks volumes of the errors of an iron-clad "zero tolerance" drug policy. And the pending expulsion of Teresa Elenz appears to be one such error. So far as we can tell, no one challenges Elenz`s story: that she discovered a bag of pills on the PHS campus, picked them up out of curiosity and then, well aware of the penalties for drugs at school, panicked. She hesitated to put them down again or toss them in a wastebasket for fear of being seen. She decided against turning them in to a teacher, again fearing the consequences of possession. She came up with a plan to dispose of the pills, but in the meantime put them into the possession of a friend, whose indiscretion led to their confiscation and back to her. Did she show poor judgment? Maybe so - but then, she`s 15. The Pensacola Police Department, called in to investigate, concluded that her story was truthful. "Elenz had no intention to do anything with the pills other than to destroy them," reported the investigating officer. And why not believe her? Teresa has an unblemished record of discipline, is a member of the National Honor Society, attends the prestigious International Baccalaureate program and was identified years ago by Duke University as showing promise for the future. Her college plans include earning a doctorate in astronomy. Now, she is suspended from school and IB, and an Escambia School District committee has recommended her expulsion. We certainly have no objection to a process to determine the truth, but why suspend her and recommend expulsion before all the facts are considered? Because of an inflexible policy that doesn`t make sense. But there is always time for drastic action, if it is warranted, after due consideration. Elenz has an appeal hearing today, at which the suspension and recommended expulsion can be overturned. They should be. If they are not, the School Board should overturn them. Drugs are a problem for young people, and the zero tolerance policy is a response to that. But it is the wrong response. Yes, drugs can ruin a student`s future - but we figure that presumes the student is using or selling them, not caught up in an unfortunate, tragic comedy of errors. The School District can do better than this. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart