Pubdate: 30 Nov 1998 Source: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL) Copyright: 1998 Sun-Sentinel Company Section: A Opinion Page 23 Contact: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/services/letters_editor.htm Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ Author: Ginger Warbis DRUG WAR COSTING MORE THAN IT SAVES All of my life I've been a pawn in the movement to militarize the War On (some) Drugs. I pay the taxes that build the jails and place armed police officers and drug-sniffing dogs in the public schools -- the two most prominent institutions on the landscape of my children's world. I grudgingly pull over and show the scowling officer my papers when they block off major roads to perform a "Safety Check" (used to be just weekend nights looking for drunk drivers, but now it's just about anytime, just about anywhere, no excuse required). I've been asked to provide urine samples for drug testing in order to acquire a job. I've seen elected officials used terms like "treason" and "firing squad" when talking about casual drug users. I've seen the local sheriff's department go from rags to riches on the proceeds from their weekend police auctions (of stuff that used to belong to citizens). I've seen the Drug Warlords cynically appropriated the fear of the people (not to mention appropriate ever more of our resources) to justify outrageous policies. All the while, in addition to all of this financial expense I've watched quiet, friendly neighborhoods turn into crack town. I've watched the overall quality of life in my community go straight to hell. I've seen phenomenal growth in the black market. It's gotten so bad that the local grocery store is selling bootleg cigarettes. Kids hate cops, cops hate kids. But then, how can you expect anyone to respect the law when the law holds them in such contempt? There are a few things I haven't seen. I've never heard of bloody territory disputes among Anhuizer Busch truck drivers. Have you? Hooch drivers habitually gunned down cops and each other in the 20's. What's the difference if not the legal status of the substance? And I haven't seen any improvement in addiction rates like they enjoy over in Amsterdam. I've not seen even the suggestion of any sort of control over any of these allegedly controlled substances. Not that it's really that simple but, given the choice, I'll take hospitals and nursing homes reeking with the odor of marijuana over violent, dope dealing street thugs trying to seduce my 14 year old daughter with expensive trinkets and drugs any day you ask me. - --- Checked-by: Richard Lake