Pubdate: Wed, 14 Mar 2001
Source: Post and Courier (SC)
Copyright: 2001 Evening Post Publishing Co.
Contact:  134 Columbus Street Charleston, SC 29403-4800
Website:  http://www.charleston.net/
Author: Joseph L. Chandler

WAR ON DRUGS

In response to the recent letter on the "drug trade," the author has two 
correct premises: 1) the ingestion of illegal drugs is harmful; and 2) the 
drug trade can be profitable to criminals. Unfortunately, that's where 
reality ends and fantasy begins.

Taking "drug war" to mean anti-narcotic legislation and its enforcement, it 
can only be considered "unconstitutional" insofar that the president's 
Cabinet (which Washington established), the Louisiana Purchase (which 
Jefferson defended until his death), and statutory laws prohibiting armed 
robbery, rape and murder are unconstitutional by their omission from the same.

As a society and nation, we must unequivocally decide whether or not we are 
really prepared to do all that is necessary to enforce the current drug laws.

While there is no constitutional mandate to be consistent, the solvency and 
integrity of our necessary laws must not be weakened by half-measures in 
enforcement and half-resolve on part of the public. We must either dedicate 
ourselves to extreme and/or innovative ways to the cause of illegal drug 
eradication in our country, or relax, repeal, and face the dire consequences.

The consequences are a nation with even fewer moral taboos, and the crime 
that will inevitable follow with the influx of 2 million criminals back 
into our community. Those with the habit will continue to do whatever is 
necessary to maintain and escalate. You decide whether the drug war should 
do the same, then write to your legislators.

JOSEPH L. CHANDLER Isle of Palms
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