Pubdate: Wed, 07 Nov 2012
Source: Walker County Messenger (GA)
Copyright: 2012 Walker County Messenger.
Contact:  http://www.walkermessenger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2755
Author: George B. Reed, Jr.

LEGALIZATION? GET REAL!

Some years ago I wrote a column in this paper suggesting it might be 
time to consider legalizing marijuana since it probably isn't any 
more harmful than beer, a legal drug. But I have come to see I was wrong.

Proponents of legalized marijuana make the point that it is not as 
harmful in its health and social consequences as alcohol, and they 
might be right. But that doesn't mean its effects are benign or that 
legalization will eliminate all criminal activity associated with its 
manufacture, sale and usage. If alcohol and tobacco were new on the 
scene today and we were aware of their potential harmful, sometimes 
lethal, consequences, would we still legalize them?

Legalization advocates are sometimes long on rhetoric, but short on 
facts. They tend to rely on anecdotal nonsense such as, "Who ever 
heard of a guy high on pot going home and beating up his wife?" And 
as for legalizing drugs in general, we should go to school on someone 
who has already tried it.

I have been to Amsterdam, "The Drug Mecca of the Western World," 
where prostitution is legal and soft drugs are tolerated. The city 
itself had a seedy aura about it, and many of the people whom we met 
in everyday situations were obviously high on something. I especially 
remember a druggy taxi driver who scared us out of our wits. And 
Dutch people we met there from other cities begged us not to judge 
their country by Amsterdam.

Amsterdam police estimate that 80 percent of property crimes there 
are committed by addicts. And while the Dutch get not one penny of 
tax revenue from drug sales, addicts account for 50 percent of their 
prison population. Although legalization advocates claim marijuana 
use has not increased in Amsterdam, the number of drug cafes there 
grew from 30 to 300 in one decade.

Switzerland tried a similar policy with similar results. Andres 
Oehler, a Zurich municipal spokesman stated, "It was felt that the 
situation got out of control in every case." Switzerland abandoned 
its legalization experiment in 1992. After legalizing marijuana, 
cocaine and heroin use, Spain and Italy now have the most drug abuse 
and overdose cases in Europe.

No doubt, we have lost our own war on drugs. But, in my opinion, 
legalization or decriminalization isn't the answer. So what is, 
better law enforcement?

Efforts to interdict the drug supply here have been largely futile. 
There is too much money in drug trafficking, and the corruption among 
low-paid Latin American law enforcement agents is epidemic. Cocaine 
is easy to grow and process, light in weight to ship and has a long 
shelf life. Compared to bananas, it's a cup of tea to grow and 
export. In this country, growing pot and manufacturing meth is almost 
impossible to stop, and our prison systems are overflowing with 
convicted drug dealers.

"Just say no" doesn't work either, and never has. We must attack the 
demand side of this equation with education and direct, rigorous 
action. Confronting drug abuse among America's young people requires 
the efforts of parents, educators, law enforcement and justice 
officials, clergy and social workers working in concert. Parents, 
teachers and police must learn to be nosier and to recognize and 
report drug activity and behavior immediately when they suspect it. 
They must be more assertive, even aggressive, when necessary. Minors 
have few rights when it comes to the purchase, possession and use of 
illegal substances.

A tough legal, social and cultural offensive is worth trying.

Or shall it be Amsterdam, U.S.A.?

George B. Reed, Jr. is retired from AT&T and a former history teacher 
in the Hamilton County school system. He lives in Fort Oglethorpe and 
can be reached at  or 706-858-3501.

Read more: CatWalkChatt - Column by George B Reed Jr Legalization Get 
real Column by George B. Reed, Jr.: Legalization? Get real! Nov 04, 
2012 | 719 views | 2 2 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a 
friend | print George B. Reed, Jr. Some years ago I wrote a column in 
this paper suggesting it might be time to consider legalizing 
marijuana since it probably isn't any more harmful than beer, a legal 
drug. But I have come to see I was wrong.

Proponents of legalized marijuana make the point that it is not as 
harmful in its health and social consequences as alcohol, and they 
might be right. But that doesn't mean its effects are benign or that 
legalization will eliminate all criminal activity associated with its 
manufacture, sale and usage. If alcohol and tobacco were new on the 
scene today and we were aware of their potential harmful, sometimes 
lethal, consequences, would we still legalize them?

Legalization advocates are sometimes long on rhetoric, but short on 
facts. They tend to rely on anecdotal nonsense such as, "Who ever 
heard of a guy high on pot going home and beating up his wife?" And 
as for legalizing drugs in general, we should go to school on someone 
who has already tried it.

I have been to Amsterdam, "The Drug Mecca of the Western World," 
where prostitution is legal and soft drugs are tolerated. The city 
itself had a seedy aura about it, and many of the people whom we met 
in everyday situations were obviously high on something. I especially 
remember a druggy taxi driver who scared us out of our wits. And 
Dutch people we met there from other cities begged us not to judge 
their country by Amsterdam.

Amsterdam police estimate that 80 percent of property crimes there 
are committed by addicts. And while the Dutch get not one penny of 
tax revenue from drug sales, addicts account for 50 percent of their 
prison population. Although legalization advocates claim marijuana 
use has not increased in Amsterdam, the number of drug cafes there 
grew from 30 to 300 in one decade.

Switzerland tried a similar policy with similar results. Andres 
Oehler, a Zurich municipal spokesman stated, "It was felt that the 
situation got out of control in every case." Switzerland abandoned 
its legalization experiment in 1992. After legalizing marijuana, 
cocaine and heroin use, Spain and Italy now have the most drug abuse 
and overdose cases in Europe.

No doubt, we have lost our own war on drugs. But, in my opinion, 
legalization or decriminalization isn't the answer. So what is, 
better law enforcement?

Efforts to interdict the drug supply here have been largely futile. 
There is too much money in drug trafficking, and the corruption among 
low-paid Latin American law enforcement agents is epidemic. Cocaine 
is easy to grow and process, light in weight to ship and has a long 
shelf life. Compared to bananas, it's a cup of tea to grow and 
export. In this country, growing pot and manufacturing meth is almost 
impossible to stop, and our prison systems are overflowing with 
convicted drug dealers.

"Just say no" doesn't work either, and never has. We must attack the 
demand side of this equation with education and direct, rigorous 
action. Confronting drug abuse among America's young people requires 
the efforts of parents, educators, law enforcement and justice 
officials, clergy and social workers working in concert. Parents, 
teachers and police must learn to be nosier and to recognize and 
report drug activity and behavior immediately when they suspect it. 
They must be more assertive, even aggressive, when necessary. Minors 
have few rights when it comes to the purchase, possession and use of 
illegal substances.

A tough legal, social and cultural offensive is worth trying.

Or shall it be Amsterdam, U.S.A.?
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