Pubdate: Fri, 30 Nov 2007
Source: Lac du Bonnet Leader (CN MB)
Copyright: 2007 Lac du Bonnet Leader
Contact: http://cgi.bowesonline.com/pedro.php?id=211&x=contact
Website: http://www.lacdubonnetleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2956
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1356/a05.html?101679

LONG SENTENCES DON'T DETER

Re: Prison system needs overhaul, Nov. 23

If long prison sentences deterred illicit drug use, Canada's southern 
neighbor would be a "drug-free" America. That's not the case. The 
drug war has done little other than give the former Land of the Free 
the highest incarceration rate in the world.

It's worth noting that tobacco use has declined considerably in 
recent years. Public education efforts are paying off.  Apparently, 
mandatory minimum sentences, civil asset forfeiture, random drug 
testing and racial profiling are not necessarily the most 
cost-effective means of discouraging unhealthy choices. Drug abuse is 
bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, DC
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom