Pubdate: Sun, 10 May 2015
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2015 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n246/a01.html

TIME TO DECLARE PEACE IN FAILED DRUG WAR

Regarding "Law an example of why more reform is needed" (Our Views, May 
3): When it comes to preventing drug use, mass incarceration is a cure 
worse than the disease. The drug war is not the promoter of family 
values some would have us believe. Children of inmates are at risk of 
educational failure, joblessness, addiction and delinquency. Not only do 
the children lose out, but society as a whole does too.

Incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders alongside hardened criminals is 
the equivalent of providing them with a taxpayer-funded education in 
criminal behavior. Prisons transmit violent habits rather than reduce 
them. Nonviolent drug offenders are eventually released, with dismal job 
prospects because of criminal records.

Turning drug users into unemployable ex-cons is a senseless waste of tax 
dollars. It's time to declare peace in the failed drug war and begin 
treating all substance abuse, legal or otherwise, as the public health 
problem it is. Destroying the futures and families of citizens who make 
unhealthy choices doesn't benefit anyone.

Robert Sharpe, Arlington, Va.

Sharp is a policy analyst with Washington, D.C.-based Common Sense for 
Drug Policy (www.csdp.org).
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MAP posted-by: Matt