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 - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart