Pubdate: Mon, 07 Aug 2017
Source: Daily Courier (Prescott, AZ)
Copyright: 2017 Prescott Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.dcourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4036
Author: Kirk Muse

OVERHAUL TIME

Editor:

Thanks for publishing Rita Shyrocka'™s outstanding letter:
"€œCrisis€™ is on government'€™s shoulders"€ (7-19-17).

I'€™d like to add that in 1972, when President Richard Nixon launched
the war on drugs, the federal budget for the drug war was $101
million. Last year, the federal budget for the drug was over $25
billion - a 250-fold increase.

In 1972, fewer than 5,000 Americans died from illegal drugs. Last year
more than 50,000 Americans died from drug overdoses.

In 1972, fewer than 400,000 Americans were in jail or prison for all
crimes. Today the United States has more than 450,000 prisoners for
just drug crimes.

It seems to me that minor adjustments to our nationa€'s drug policies
are not the answer - a major overhaul is required.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Arizona
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt