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.
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