Pubdate: Tue, 01 Nov 2005
Source: Red and Black, The (U of Georgia, GA Edu)
Contact: http://apps.ugatoday.com/forms/letter.php
Copyright: 2005 The Red and Black Publishing Co., Inc.
Website: http://www.redandblack.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2800
Author: Danielle Brudi
Note: Danielle Brudi is a senior majoring in food science and the 
clerk for the Phi Kappa Literary Society.

WAR ON DRUGS UNFAIR AND WASTEFUL

America is at war. I am not talking about the War on Terror or
Operation Iraqi Freedom -- I'm talking about the War on Drugs, a war
that has been raging since the Nixon administration.

Regardless of your stance on the other two battles America is
fighting, the War on Drugs is fundamentally flawed.

Every day, people acknowledge that alcohol and nicotine are drugs that
kill millions. However, the government does not prohibit these drugs
because politicians would lose their campaign contributions and it
would cost many Americans their jobs.

Although I would be saddened by the loss of American jobs -- not to
mention the strain on the pocketbooks of congressmen -- it's a price
worth paying to prevent the thousands of deaths these legal drugs
cause every day.

So why do I think the War on Drugs should be ended
immediately?

The War on Drugs is racist. Three out of four drug users are white,
but blacks serve 74 percent of drug-related prison sentences.

Contrary to what many think, "the typical cocaine user is white, male,
a high school graduate employed full time and living in a small
metropolitan area or suburb," to quote former drug czar, William Bennett.

According to the federal government, more than 24 million Americans,
mostly white, have used marijuana, cocaine or another illegal drug in
the past year.

Imagine if undercover police sold drugs at the University instead of
inner-city neighborhoods.

Historically, government policies against drugs have targeted
minorities. The first drug prohibition law in 1875 targeted Chinese
workers who used opium.

The laws regarding crack and crack cocaine illustrate perfectly the
inherent racism in the system. The minimum sentence for possession of
more than five grams (a teaspoon) of crack cocaine is five years in
prison -- the same penalty given to someone dealing 500 grams of cocaine.

In 1994, 90 percent of federal crack offenders were black, while only
30 percent of powder cocaine offenders were black.

People are going to use drugs, and the government's policies only make
these drugs more dangerous.

Tobacco, alcohol and prescription drugs in the United States are
supposed to meet certain standards for safety and labeling.

We learn about the hazards of these drugs in school, the packages in
which they come and instructions from our doctors.

If I were to purchase an illegal drug on the black market, however, I
would have no guarantee of what actually was in it.

Use marijuana as an example. Paraphernalia laws have stalled the
development and marketing of water pipes and other technology that
could significantly reduce the harms of pot smoke.

And because pot is unregulated, contamination of the drug with
insecticides, Paraquat, crack and heroin is encouraged.

Also, the War on Drugs eliminates personal choice. Nobody should be
told how to live.

Yes, drugs kill people. Yes, using certain drugs impede normal
functioning. But the same can be said for alcohol, spray paint,
Benadryl and glue.

In the end, the War on Drugs cannot be won. You can purchase drugs in
all 50 states. And that is something that will never change.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake