Pubdate: Wed, 06 Sep 2006
Source: Contra Costa Times (CA)
Copyright: 2006 Knight Ridder
Contact:  http://www.contracostatimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/96
Author: Patrick Robbins

WAR ON DRUGS IS A DISMAL, COSTLY FAILURE

The war on drugs is a dismal failure that's costing billions of 
dollars and ruining countless lives.

At the turn of the century, their were no illegal drugs in America. 
Cocaine and heroin were available through the Sears catalog.

Every city had a few opium dens, and yes, there were addicts and 
deaths, but there was little or no crime from these drugs.

The crime, cartels and exploding prison populations came as a direct 
result from the laws that made these substances illegal.

Like the prohibition of alcohol that brought gangs and public 
shootouts to our streets, the war on drugs is misguided legislation.

Now, I don't propose that we sell drugs at the corner grocery store, 
but we should allow doctors to prescribe them to addicts. Then we 
will free up valuable prison space and law enforcement personnel to 
deal with violent crime and the terrorism that is gripping our country.

Unfortunately it takes an act of congress to change this, but it is 
possible. Who is against this? Law enforcement, the liquor industry 
and organized crime.

Makes you think doesn't it?

Patrick Robbins

Concord
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom