Pubdate: Sat, 26 Oct 2002
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2002 East Valley Tribune
Contact:  http://www.aztrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1795

PROP 203 WOULD WORSEN STATE'S DRUG CRISIS

Proposition 203 requires the Arizona Department of Public Safety to 
distribute the "free" marijuana.  Requiring law enforcement personnel to 
sort, grade, and distribute marijuana is not an efficient use of our tax 
dollars and takes needed resources off the streets.

Additionally, Proposition 203 requires DPS to distribute marijuana seized 
from the drug dealers.  What if a marijuana trafficker  dipped the 
marijuana in PCP or laced it with cocaine?  Think of the risks involved in 
redistributing seized marijuana.

Criminals convicted of marijuana possession will be freed from prison. If 
someone is in prison for possession of marijuana, it was probably the 
result of a downward plea agreement from the more serious crime (trafficking).

The illicit drug trafficking industry is a multimillion-dollar illegal 
industry.  These illegal assets will no longer be subject to seizure under 
Proposition 203.  In order to successfully dismantle drug trafficking 
organizations, it is essential that law enforcement take away the resources 
that these organizations will use to further their criminal drug 
trafficking enterprises.  Proposition 203 will reduce the effectiveness of 
law enforcement in Arizona.

Why do we care?  The Arizona Narcotics Officers Association is a 
non-profit, member-run organization made up of local, state, tribal, and 
federal law enforcement officers.  ANOA members are currently assigned to 
duties such as narcotics enforcement, gang units, street crimes units, 
crime labs, major offender units, and neighborhood enforcement units. We 
see the destructive effects of drug abuse on a daily basis, and we care 
about our children; most of us are parents, too.

We have also posted information on our Web site at 
www.aznarcoticsofficer.com.  Statistics for 12th grade drug use were taken 
from the "Monitoring the Future" study.

James Womack, President Arizona Narcotic Officers Association Tucson
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom