Pubdate: Wed, 22 Feb 2012
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Windsor Star
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/PTv2GKdw
Website: http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Douglas Quan, Postmedia News 
Cited: Law Enforcement Against Prohibition: http://www.leap.cc/

WAR ON DRUGS A 'FAILURE'

A high-profile group of current and former U.S. law enforcement
officials has sent a letter to the Harper government with a surprising
message: Take it from us, the war on drugs has been a "costly failure."

The officials are urging the Canadian government to reconsider
mandatory minimum sentences for "minor" marijuana offences under its
"tough on-crime bill" and said a better approach would be to legalize
marijuana under a policy of taxation and regulation.

"We are ... extremely concerned that Canada is implementing mandatory
minimum sentencing legislation for minor marijuana-related offences
similar to those that have been such costly failures in the United
States," the letter reads.

"These policies have bankrupted state budgets as limited tax dollars
pay to imprison non-violent drug offenders at record rates instead of
programs that can actually improve community safety."

The letter was signed by more than two dozen current and former
judges, police officers, special agents, drug investigators and other
members of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.