Pubdate: Mon, 08 Apr 2002
Source: Fayetteville Observer-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Fayetteville Observer-Times
Contact:  http://www.fayettevillenc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n644/a06.html?10993
Author: Robert C. Currie Jr.

USE ANOTHER METHOD TO FIGHT THE DRUG WAR

Arquita Bost made numerous excellent points in her April 1 letter, "Drug 
addiction is the real problem." And while it is true that spending 
"billions of dollars trying to put an end to the trafficking of drugs" has 
gotten America "basically nowhere," one method still has not been tried.

Why not give every street-level pusher the choice of a truly severe 
penalty, or complete freedom if they identify their dealer and contribute 
indisputable evidence which could lead to a definite conviction? Then give 
that dealer the choice of a truly severe penalty, or complete freedom if 
they identify their supplier and contribute indisputable evidence which 
could lead to a definite conviction. And so on.

I cannot prove that this method would work, but if the people at the end of 
that "And so on" are as politically powerful as America's failure to stop 
drug trafficking indicates, it will never be tried, now will it?

After all, with today's additional technology, shouldn't the nation which 
saved Great Britain and much of Europe in World Wars I and II be more than 
able to win a drug war within its own boundaries -- if those reaping 
exorbitant profits at the end of that "And so on" were not more politically 
powerful than those risking their lives fighting the drug war?

Robert C. Currie Jr., Laurinburg
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