Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Joy Kitchens

'DRUG WAR' LOST, NEW WAY NEEDED TO ADDRESS ADDICTION

William Raspberry's article ("Threat of jail not only way to treat a sin," 
May 12) broaches a subject citizens of these United States need to begin to 
seriously consider: Decriminalization of drug possession.

The failures of the "Drug War," "rehabilitation" of addicts in state 
prisons, and "Truth in Sentencing" laws, which have taken away the 
authority of judges to determine just sentences in individual cases and 
helped to congest penal systems with non-violent drug abuse cases, demand a 
re-evaluation of the way we approach the problem of addiction.

The irony of former "Drug Czar" William J. Bennett's 10-year, $8 million 
gambling addiction indicates the prevalence of addiction in society, 
exposes the hypocrisy of judging one addiction more harmful than another, 
and reveals our ignorance or denial of addiction as a social, rather than 
individual, problem.

Even if you aren't personally feeling the loss of a family member to this 
problem, you can see its cost in jail crowding, budget deficits, and crime 
rates.

How long will we continue to sacrifice our emotional, financial, and 
physical security in the delusion that a policy proven ineffective by 
prohibition will one day save our families and our streets?

Our challenge is to consider and implement alternative solutions to the 
problem.

I suggest decriminatation of addictive behavior that does not harm others.

Release people incarcerated for such "crimes" and use existing 
rehabilitation and support services for people who demonstrate this kind of 
behavior.

Jail isn't working.

Joy Kitchens

Jackson
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens