Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jan 2002
Source: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Eau Claire Press
Contact:  http://www.leadertelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/236
Author: Shaun Hittle
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n004/a07.html

RIGHT PROBLEM, WRONG ANSWER

I found the article, "Drugs blamed for steady rate of homicides in 
Milwaukee," to be completely off base in its logic.

Milwaukee Police Chief Arthur Jones argues that the key to ending the high 
homicide rates in Milwaukee is to end low-level drug dealing; I would agree 
that if low-level drug dealing decreased, so would homicide rates. However, 
Jones glosses over the way to achieve that goal: improve the social and 
economic conditions in Milwaukee so that these youths who are in the gangs 
have something productive to do.

Merely increasing arrest efforts will do nothing but add to the overcrowded 
jails and seal the fate for some very young people who have few other 
options than to join a gang or deal drugs.

Shaun Hittle Kalamazoo, Mich.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D