Pubdate: Mon, 11 Nov 2002
Source: News Journal (DE)
Copyright: 2002 The News Journal
Contact:  http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/822
Author: Edmund N. Carpenter II
Note: Edmund N. Carpenter II lives in Centreville.

STOP WAR ON DRUGS AND DECRIMINALIZE

The newspapers, TV and radio are filled with articles and editorial 
comments about war. There is the war with Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, the 
war on Terror and so on. But somehow escaping analysis, searching 
discussion and serious critique is a war that has caused more American 
casualties than all these combined. Yet it drags on with no prospect of 
success.

The war on drugs probably was doomed when it started as we mistakenly 
proceeded to try to solve a serious health problem with criminal laws, 
police forces, diplomatic corps and the even the military. None of them nor 
their combination is equal to the task.

After learning the lesson in Prohibition that alcohol problems were not 
solvable with criminal laws, we forgot that and pursued the same erroneous 
approach with drugs, with the same terrible results. In the last 30 years, 
there's been a tremendous increase in crime not only in this country but in 
Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela, Turkey and elsewhere. American money funds a 
threatening underworld here and abroad. Public officials become corrupt. 
Civilian casualties happen daily with endless street shootings, even in 
Wilmington, in turf wars. Overstuffed prisons in Delaware and throughout 
the country lead to serious budget problems as resources are diverted.

In Baltimore, a mother and five children were burned to death in an alleged 
attack by a drug dealer taking revenge for complaints to police.

Will we ever have the political courage to reconsider our situation and 
follow the example of the repeal of Prohibition in 1933? When will we 
finally learn that criminal laws cannot solve a health problem?

We must balance a legitimate desire to protect people from their own folly 
in indulging in drugs against the cost in innocent lives, the waste of 
endless prison expansion and the diversion of police and other resources to 
provide protection. Even if a few more addicts succumb -- and I doubt if 
there would be any increase because drugs are so readily available now -- 
is that comparable to the loss of an innocent child or a mother and her family?

Let's start a dialogue about decriminalization of drugs and termination of 
the drug war.

Begin by decriminalizing marijuana, treating it like tobacco, which have 
already killed many more people than marijuana, has. Restrict access by 
children, publish warnings and inaugurate more school programs explaining 
the dangers of drugs. At least this would sever the threatening connections 
children establish with dealers of hard drugs when they buy marijuana. 
Other states have already taken this step. Delaware should too.
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