Pubdate: Thu, 04 Jan 2001
Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Austin American-Statesman
Contact:  P. O. Box 670 Austin, Texas  78767
Fax: 512-445-3679
Website: http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/today/
Website: http://www.austin360.com
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption)

CORRUPTION ABOUNDS

Regarding Frio County sheriff convicted of drug conspiracy and stealing 
federal funds: When are policymakers going to acknowledge the dangerous 
levels of corruption engendered by the drug war?

This corruption reaches the highest levels. Entire countries have been 
destabilized because of the corrupting influence of traffickers. Like 
alcohol prohibition in the early 1900s, the drug war is causing tremendous 
societal harm while failing miserably at preventing drug use.

Drug laws fuel organized crime and corruption, which is then used to 
justify increased drug war spending. It's time to treat all substance 
abuses -- legal or otherwise -- as the public health problem that they are.

ROBERT SHARPE

The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager