The Zero-tolerance policy reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Zero-tolerance policy

A zero-tolerance policy is a policy of having very little tolerance for transgressions: any infraction of existing laws and regulations will be punished, no matter how small. The term may be used in general or with reference to a particular category of transgressions, e.g. a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol.

It is enacted by an organisation (usually a school) against a particular action, or possession of something on organisation controlled property. Many schools have a zero-tolerance policy concerning drugs or weapons. In the case of drugs, a student possessing or caught using drugs on school property would immediately suffer the highest possible consequence for their actions. Such policies are not always enacted by organisations, because it binds those in authority to an action, regardless of circumstances, and the policy must be written extremely explicitly, or it could have negative consequences. Recent cases include students being suspended/expelled for things such as advil (technically a drug) in backpacks, pocketknives in cars (weapon), and carrying sharp tools outside of a "shop" classroom. Most policies were created after the shootings at Columbine High School in Denver, Colorado.

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