Pubdate: Thu, 24 May 2001
Source: News & Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2001 The News and Observer Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.news-observer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304
Author: J.D. Best
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n778/a05.html (The 
Drug War Crashes)

DRUG WAR CASUALTIES

Gail Phares' timely May 8 Point of View article "The drug war 
crashes" pointed out some of the inherent dangers in our nation's 
severely flawed drug policy. The downed missionary plane in Peru is 
just the most recent example of civilians becoming casualties in this 
futile war.

Our government is spending millions of dollars putting nonviolent 
drug offenders in jail and spraying legal crops with environmentally 
devastating herbicide. Our marijuana policies are based on 1930s-era 
legislation that was made with little or no scientific evidence, and 
drug-prevention campaigns depend on exaggeration and misinformation. 
Utter disregard for current drug laws is frighteningly reminiscent of 
Prohibition.

Yes, drug abuse must stop, but is this really the best way to do it?

J.D. BEST
Raleigh
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