Pubdate: Sun, 05 May 2013
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Bart Braverman

END THE DRUG WAR

Re "Obama vows alliance with Mexico," May 3

In trying to reduce the violence in Mexico, President Obama and 
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto are doing a hat dance around the 
obvious solution.

As repugnant as it may be to some, decriminalizing drug use would 
quickly accomplish a number of goals: Drug cartels would lose 
billions of dollars, hampering their ability to corrupt public 
officials; law enforcement on both sides of the border would gain 
much-needed man-hours for use in fighting serious crimes; and 
billions of dollars wasted annually on a fruitless drug war could be 
recouped for use in bolstering the economy.

Drug use is a personal choice; drug abuse is a medical problem. We 
can no longer afford to waste time, money and political capital on a 
lost cause. Let's put an end to this ridiculous dance.

Bart Braverman

Los Angeles
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