Pubdate: Tue, 11 Sep 2001
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2001 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Larry Brittain

FAILED DRUG POLICY

To The Editor:

"Colombian report raises new doubts over U.S. drug war" (Associated Press 
news story, Sept. 4) was informative. We learn that the U.S. government is 
spending $1.3 billion for the eradication of one of Colombia's largest cash 
crops, forcing coca farmers to switch to legal crops. We learn that the 
spraying of herbicide over 125,000 acres "may" have an environmental 
impact. And we learn that it's arguable that the money and pollution are 
doing anything to curb cocaine production.

What we do not learn is that the legalization of drugs in the U.S. would 
end the environmental damage and other concerns over this failed program. 
Legalization would free up $1.3 billion from this dubious program and many 
more billions from interdiction, court and incarceration costs currently 
being squandered by the federal government. In addition, insurgents in 
Central and South American countries depend largely on drug money to 
finance their campaigns. The legalization of these drugs by the world's 
largest consumer (the U.S.) would legitimize these revenues, giving the 
sitting governments the opportunity to use taxes to replace foreign aid, 
bankrupt insurgents and start an economy that could compete in the global 
market.

Larry Brittain, Guthrie
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MAP posted-by: Lou King