Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jan 2013
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Copyright: 2013 Daniel W. Ryan
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Author: Daniel W. Ryan
Note: 2nd of 5 responses to OPED: 
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n013/a04.html

CAN DRUG LEGALIZATION END THE DESTRUCTION OF LIVES?

The authors were most likely subject to space limitations in listing
the benefits of drug decriminalization.

While teaching a class in public finance for a college
criminal-justice program, I asked the police officers in the room if
they could estimate how much property crime is driven by the needs of
addicts to meet the street price of their drug. Nobody submitted a
proposal of less than 75%. And, of course, some addicts engage in a
more serious crime against a person or happen upon an innocent victim
during a property crime.

Decriminalization would make all of our homes, businesses and
neighborhoods safer.

Daniel W. Ryan

Skokie, Ill.
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