Pubdate: Mon, 10 Apr 2006
Source: Ledger, The (FL)
Copyright: 2006 The Ledger
Contact:  http://www.theledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795
Author: Daniel Insdorf

WAR ON DRUGS' SIDE EFFECTS MAKE EFFORT INEFFECTIVE

A recent headline touts, "Task Force Cracks Major Cocaine Ring." The  
Polk County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area supposedly shut down  
a major cocaine-trafficking ring.  As a former law enforcement  
officer, I was not impressed.

This useless and senseless waste of money and manpower exemplifies  
the futility of the war on illegal drugs. The confiscation of $1  
million in marijuana and cocaine will do absolutely nothing to stem  
the flow. Not a single drug user will have any more difficulty  
obtaining these substances as a result of this costly police action.

The only effect will be a temporary increase in the price and a  
corresponding rise in crime. Drug users will have to break into more  
houses, steal more cars and rob more people to cover the additional  
cost. Drug addicts are basically lazy people with only one goal in  
mind, and that is to use drugs. They do not want to commit crimes,  
but the system forces them to do so.

This writer, having served in law enforcement on the local, state and  
federal levels, believes that the lack of willingness to stop the  
drug trafficking is calculated. There is simply too much money  
involved. It is big business.

Many smaller countries could not survive without American drug  
dollars floating their economies. There are many neighborhoods in the  
United States that depend heavily on the drug trade and the money it  
brings to the community.

The occasional police actions, which are for show, only create more  
problems for law-abiding citizens.

DANIEL INSDORF
Winter Haven
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MAP posted-by: Jackl