Pubdate: Thu, 03 Jun 2004
Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY)
Copyright: 2004 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/614
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n771/a03.html
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?140 (Rockefeller Drug Laws)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

TREAT DRUG ABUSE AS PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE

Regarding David Smith's May 20 essay "Send drug addicts to treatment - not 
prison":

The burden imposed on New York taxpayers by the Rockefeller drug laws grows 
each year. While Albany debates reform, states throughout the country have 
introduced alternatives to incarceration. The drug war is not the promoter 
of family values that some would have us believe. Children of inmates are 
at risk of educational failure, joblessness, addiction and delinquency. Not 
only do the children lose out, but society as a whole does, too.

Incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders alongside hardened criminals is the 
equivalent of providing them with a taxpayer-funded education in criminal 
behavior. Turning drug users into unemployable ex-cons is a senseless waste 
of tax dollars. It's time to declare peace in the failed drug war and begin 
treating all substance abuse as the public health problem it is.

Destroying the futures and families of citizens who make unhealthy choices 
doesn't benefit anyone.

ROBERT SHARPE, WASHINGTON, D.C.

Sharpe is a policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Jackl