Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2007
Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY)
Copyright: 2007 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/614
Author: Hanif Abdul-Wahid, Guest Essayist

DIG OUT ROOT OF CRIME, POVERTY - ILLEGAL DRUGS

The illegal use and distribution of drugs is one of
the most complex problems. City residents have suffered from this
plague more than any other population. However, instead of standing up
to this plague as a unified community, black leaders focus on racism
as the cause of everything that goes wrong, while the fear of black
crime by some whites clouds any dialogue on new strategies.

Of all the amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the 18th, which
established Prohibition, is the only one that ultimately was repealed.
Why? Because the effects of Prohibition, like those of the "War on
Drugs," were largely unanticipated.

Production, importation and distribution of alcoholic beverages -- once
the province of legitimate business -- were taken over by criminals who
fought for market control in violent confrontations, including mass
murder. The gangs became so rich that they were often able to bribe
underpaid law-enforcement personnel. Many citizens were sympathetic to
bootleggers, and respectable citizens were lured to the romance of
illegal alcohol sold at illegal establishments. Arrests of prominent
citizens during raids of these establishments were common.

The Prohibition Act of 1919 illustrated the dichotomy we face as a
community today. There are a lot of parallels that are pervasive. We
throw money at violence, poverty, segregated education -- most of which
can be traced to the illegal drug trade.

Common citizens use drugs, distribute drugs, and violence and murder
are committed over drugs. Should we legalize drugs?

Maybe we need to discuss some of these similarities and seriously
consider looking at this problem with new eyes.

There have been many efforts by citizens, institutions and government
in this city to work on the issue of drugs, only to be tricked, misled
and duped into working expediently on the effects and not the cause.

The solution may be to find citizens, governments and institutions
that will commit to working together for the health of this community
on the cause of the problems, not just the effects.

Abdul-Wahid is a founding member of Rochesterians Against Illegal
Narcotics.
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MAP posted-by: Derek