Pubdate: Fri, 26 Dec 2008
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2008 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Howard J. Wooldridge 
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08.n1110.a02.html

ANOTHER WAY DRUG WAR CORRUPTS OUR SYSTEM

As a retired police detective, I am only too aware of the ways Ronald
Fraser's observations ring true ("Getting paid with raids,"
Commentary, Dec. 10). Civil asset forfeiture has corrupted my profession.

Hundreds of cases of this kind of corruption come to light every year,
and they are generated by our dysfunctional and immoral drug war.

It should be pointed out that prosecutors' offices also often profit
from such forfeitures. Everyone wants this "free" money.

Will it take a depression to force us to abandon the modern form of
prohibition that is the war on drugs?

Howard J. Wooldridge

Frederick

The writer is an education specialist for Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin