Pubdate: Wed, 05 Apr 2006
Source: News Journal (DE)
Copyright: 2006 The News Journal
Contact: http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/opinion/index.html
Website: http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/822
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Related: The News Journal printed an OPED from Letang on Apr 
9  http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n443/a05.html?4095

EX-PROSECUTOR DOUBTS ABOUT WAR ON DRUGS SHOULD OPEN REAL DEBATE

Considering his credentials you wouldn't expect Peter Letang to call
the war on drugs a failure.

Until his retirement a week ago he had been Delaware's chief criminal
prosecutor for five years. In addition, Mr. Letang, a Republican, has
sent his fair share of addicts to jail.

But other public officials have been quietly saying the same thing for
years. Perhaps Mr. Letang's public comments will prod them to speak
out so that our society can have the overdue conversation about what
decriminalization of narcotics will mean to the addict and the
non-addicted public.

Drug abuse has ruined lives. Drug trafficking has filled our jails and
caused violence on our streets. There seems no end to the problem
despite the money that has been spent.

Mr. Letang's suggestion that the millions spent to intercept drugs
would be better spent hiring a counselor for every child in Delaware
is magnanimous but impractical. However, the thought is provocative
enough to begin a re-examination of our current policy.

If it's not working, what will? Are current counseling programs
effective? About 60 percent of addicts use drugs within six months
following discharge and about 40 percent apply for re-treatment within
12 months. Can we change that?

Should all drugs or certain drugs be decriminalized? All sides need to
be heard.

We are past due for an honest public discussion, Perhaps Mr. Letang
has started it. 
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPF Florida)