Drug Free School Zones and The War on Drugs
Several years ago the Tennessee State Legislature enacted the Drug Free School Zone Act. The purpose was to prevent drug trafficking at or near our schools. I agree wholeheartedly that schools should be a place of learning and not a breeding ground for drug sales to children. However, the police and the District Attorneys Office uses the school zone act as a hammer in the war on drugs. Now, driving though a school zone triggers the enhanced punishment portion of the drug free school zone act. A school zone drug charge increases the punishment and makes the service of the sentence at 100 % to serve. Watch the video to see how just driving down Charlotte Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee can impact a case.
