Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jun 2000
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2000 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64108
Feedback: http://www.kansascity.com/Discussion/
Website: http://www.kcstar.com/
Author: Eric A. Voth
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n804/a02.html

FORFEITURE LAWS

Jerry Heaster's current attack on the "war on drugs" surrounds forfeiture 
laws (6/10, Business). While there are scattered abuses, this law hits drug 
dealers where it hurts, their bank accounts. Rather than criticizing police 
for using forfeiture funds, we should applaud them for holding down tax 
subsidies of law enforcement.

The drug war is a good financial deal. Estimates on the annual costs to 
society of illegal drugs alone range between $70-$100 billion. Some 
estimates suggest that without our restrictive drug policy, the costs to 
society could range upwards of $400 billion annually.

Peak drug use occurred in 1978 during an exceedingly liberal period of drug 
policy. After an aggressive drug war, the lowest period was achieved in 
1992. Since then, drug policy nay-sayers and some softening of policy have 
helped fuel another increase.

There is so much more that can be done to fight drug use. Better 
cooperation between federal agencies, more prevention efforts, more 
treatment availability, better use of the criminal-justice system to gain 
treatment for addicts, drug courts to discourage the casual user and force 
help for the addict. Forfeiture is still an important tool.

Eric A. Voth, Chairman, The International Drug Strategy Institute, Topeka
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D