Pubdate: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ) Copyright: 2002 East Valley Tribune Contact: http://www.aztrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1795 Author: Errol J. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge, Phoenix Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, U. S. Department of Justice, Phoenix LEGALIZATION NO SOLUTION TO DRUG PROBLEM Currently, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, a majority of criminal arrests in the country are drug related. A majority of child abuse cases are connected to substance abuse. Additionally, in a national survey, at least half of the adults arrested for major crimes, such as homicide and assault, tested positive for drugs at the time of their arrests. This clearly dispels the misperception by some that people arrested on criminal charges are committing crimes, often quite violent in nature, to support their drug addiction. The truth is that the majority of these arrests are committed because people were acting irresponsibly or violently under the influence of drugs. If drug use increased because of legalization, and it most certainly would, communities would fall victim to more and more crime and abuse. And rather than helping those who suffer from addiction, we would be clearing the way for more victims. Drug legalization is an unworkable and uncompassionate suggestion to remedy a coxplex problem. It would lead to higher crime rates, more addiction and more suffering. Errol J. Chavez - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom