Pubdate: Mon, 13 Mar 2006
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
Copyright: 2006 The Des Moines Register.
Contact:  http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123
Author: Chuck Thorn
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n258/a05.html?302381

SHERIFF'S GOAL: BEST USE OF SCARCE RESOURCES

Dave Zimmer's comments were off base regarding what Johnson County
Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek hopes to accomplish by lowering penalties for
marijuana possession.

In his March 2 letter, Zimmer made an unsubstantiated generalization
that likely coincides more with his personal beliefs than with those
who serve in law enforcement.

His statement that, "an overwhelming number of law-enforcement
officers in this state do not agree with Pulkrabek's stance" couldn't
be further from the truth.

Most of the law-enforcement personnel I've discussed this topic with
feel the time and money spent on individuals charged with possessing a
small amount of marijuana are better spent attacking the other end of
the illicit-drug spectrum. Most elected officials simply don't have
the nerve to make those opinions public.

Attempting to combat the true epidemic confronting this state,
methamphetamine, is already difficult enough. Diluting the resources
prosecuting and incarcerating those who possess a small amount of
marijuana doesn't make fiscal or civil sense.

Sheriff Pulkrabek isn't trying to jeopardize public health and safety.
He is merely attempting to allocate the resources he has available
where they are needed most and would best serve the community.

CHUCK THORN

Ankeny
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPF Florida)