Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2001
Source: Register-Guard, The (OR)
Copyright: 2001 The Register-Guard
Contact:  PO Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440-2188
Fax: (541) 338-2828
Website: http://www.registerguard.com/
Author: George G. Brooks

REDIRECT DRUG POLICIES

It seems that our newly selected president is backsliding on promises made, 
and the "new" attitude is the same old wolf preying on the good work of others.

Our drug policies are ineffective and cost-prohibitive. We are being told 
that all drug users are criminal and responsible for their actions, yet 
current research tells us that drug addiction is a disease and should be 
treated as such.

Current drug interdiction policies waste valuable resources and attack 
drug-induced behavior instead of correcting the source of the condition.

We as a society can't compete with the money the drug trade generates, nor 
can we eliminate that which changes our perception. Regulation does not 
work, and the limited successes that we are fed come at a time when these 
resources could be used for treatment and decriminalization and the 
restoration of our civil rights.

We must empty our jails and redirect our efforts to help those who are in 
need. How long can we afford to delude ourselves to continue the direct 
link of criminal activity and drug addiction.

Kudos to the governor of New Mexico and his insight into the reality that 
we must direct our efforts to change our drug laws and their abuses. Sadly, 
the paranoid politics will kill his wisdom and allow the uncontrolled 
abuses of our drug policies to continue. We must take back our destiny or 
our fear will rule our good intentions.

George G. Brooks

Eugene
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