Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jul 2002
Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Green Bay Press-Gazette
Contact:  http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/879
Author: Jeremy Klopotic

DECRIMINALIZED DRUGS MAY BE THE ANSWER

GREEN BAY - "There's a lot of heroin addicts not getting their fix today," 
said a Marinette sheriff after a recent bust. Excellent! Heroin addicts 
fighting torturous withdrawal symptoms, cold turkey.

This could very likely help our jail vacancy "problem." Addicts will find a 
fix again, inevitably. Only during this minor lack of supply will they be 
more likely to be violent or assaultive. Whereas, then they deserve to be 
in jail after committing an offense on another, as opposed to taking up 
jail space from some murderous rapist - who will be paroled to make that 
space - for doing nothing more than playing a guitar with a needle in his arm.

If we only imprisoned thieves, murderers, rapists and abusers (abusers of 
people), our prison population would start shrinking. Our streets would be 
safer because drug dealers would be out of business. No more turf wars over 
drug profits. Money from the taxation of decriminalized drugs could be used 
for treatment and schools - not more prisons. But then, what would 
corporations in the prison business do? Put up vacancy signs of course!

Look at Holland's policy. Treating drugs medically, not legally, has 
actually lessened drug use and crime. So just remember this letter and 
evaluate America's policies when the next murderous, raping sex offender is 
released into the community, next door to you.

God bless America.

Jeremy Klopotic
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens