Pubdate: Sun, 04 Oct 2009 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2009 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/formnewsroom Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Author: Robert Almonte 'WAR ON DRUGS' CONFERENCE GOT THE ISSUE WRONG The recent the "War on Drugs" conference held in El Paso was a dismal failure and merely an effort to push the pro-legalization agenda. Pro-legalization advocates, including Beto O'Rourke, have argued that the nation's current war on drugs has been a complete failure. This is simply not true. While not perfect, there have been several successes: Today, there are fewer people using drugs in the U.S. than 30 years ago. Overall, drug use has decreased by 30 percent in the last 20 years, while cocaine use has dropped by 70 percent. A study by the University of Michigan, "Monitoring the Future," showed there were approximately 900,000 fewer eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders using illegal drugs in 2008 than in 2001. These successes are a result of a comprehensive strategy of prevention, treatment, and enforcement. Legalization advocates argue that jails are full of people charged with possession of only small amounts of marijuana. According to the Bureau of Justice, of the 1.2 million prisoners in the United States, 80.4 percent are incarcerated for offenses not involving drugs. Less than one-half of 1 percent are jailed for marijuana possession only. Legalization would be taking a step backward from the successes already achieved. The fact that marijuana is illegal is one of the main reasons why many people do not use it in the first place. In a national study, 76 percent of respondents stated a main factor in not using drugs, especially at a younger age, was the legal sanctions. Many drug users are in treatment today because of the "power of the bench." They are court-ordered to undergo treatment instead of jail time. Marijuana is not a benign substance. In 2004, over 39,000 teenagers between 12 and 17 were treated in emergency rooms for marijuana-related causes. O'Rourke has used the medical marijuana dispensaries in California as an example of successful control of marijuana distribution. However, the Rev. Scott Imler, co-founder of California's medical marijuana law that allowed the medical marijuana dispensaries, has stated, "We created Proposition 215 so that patients would not have to deal with black-market problems, but today it is all about the money. Most of the dispensaries operating in California are little more than dope dealers with store fronts." O'Rourke and other conference participants contend that legalizing marijuana will eliminate the violence in Juarez, Mexico. This is absurd. The cartels are fighting each other and against the disruption of smuggling operations by the Mexican Government. The Mexican cartels are criminals and thugs who will not allow legalization to prevent them from making money. If drugs are legalized in the U.S. and sold under government control, be assured that the Mexican drug cartels will sell to U.S. consumers at a lower price. A comprehensive approach of prevention, treatment and enforcement is the key in the fight against drugs. This conference should have focused on how we can continue to make improvements in these areas rather than giving up the fight and calling for the legalization of marijuana. Our children deserve better; El Paso deserves better. O'Rourke, in calling for the public to exert pressure on our elected officials to legalize marijuana, has stated: "As evidence, I point to the 3,200 people who have been killed in Juarez." I say to you, Mr. O'Rourke, as evidence against legalizing marijuana and other dangerous drugs, I point to the countless Americans and their families whose lives have been destroyed by drugs and the over 38,000 Americans who die from drug overdoses each year. - ---------------------------------- Robert Almonte is executive director, Texas Narcotic Officers Association and El Paso police deputy chief (retired). - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart