Pubdate: Sun, 19 Mar 2006 Source: Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, NJ) Copyright: 2006 Courier-Post Contact: http://www.courierpostonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/826 Author: Teresa Sicard Archambeault Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) ACTIVIST PREACHES DRUG LEGALIZATION CAMDEN -- A Camden activist says legalizing drugs is the solution to bringing down violence, crime and drug-related deaths in the city. Trying to persuade his audience, Frank Fulbrook, a longtime Camden activist, said the war on drugs is simply hurting society and cities like Camden, and therefore, drugs should be legalized. "Camden can't be revitalized as long as drugs are illegal," said Fulbrook, who conducted the recent "Forum on America Drug Policy and Impacts on Cities like Camden" at Rutgers University. Fulbrook's proposal extends only to people over 21. "Once you are an adult, you are responsible for what you do, not the government," said Fulbrook. However, not everybody in the audience felt that drugs should be legalized -- saying that would not end addiction and the problems that come with it. "Alcohol is legal, and the problems haven't stopped. They still persist," said Anthony Bertolotti, a math major at Rutgers."My father is an alcoholic, alcohol is legal and he abused my mother." Camden Councilman Ali Sloan El, a friend of Fulbrook's, sat in the audience and also disagreed with the proposal. He believes that legalization is not the answer to the violence that grips Camden. "To save Camden, the solution is in gathering young people and residents to patrol every corner where drugs are being sold," said Sloan El. Fulbrook said he believes the city's downfall is drug prohibition, and that the war that policymakers imposed against drugs only creates devastation. Fulbrook also argued that instead of spending money on eradicating drugs, the government could tax and regulate the sale of drugs. The supply of drugs is endless, and no matter how much the United States government fumigates coca plantations in Colombia or opium fields in Afghanistan, drugs will always make their way into the country, he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman