Source: Standard-Times (MA) Contact: http://www.s-t.com/ Pubdate: Fri, 04 Sep 1998 Author: CHRIS GONSALVES, Mattapoisett THANKS FOR ALL YOUR CONCERN; GO AWAY So Redford Givens and Clifford Schaffer are wondering about drug crime and punishment in SouthCoast, are they? And from way out there in California, too. What great guys. Thanks for your concern, Cliff and Red. Clifford doesn't think busting heroin dealers in a city ripped by drug crime is a fruitful exercise. In his words, "is it just another minor bust of one more minor character which won't make a nickel's difference in the local heroin market?" Small surprise Clifford feels that way. He's the director of DRCNet Online Library of Drug Policy. Cliff and the gang out there in Canyon City believe the following, according to their web site: "The Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet) is a national organization dedicated to raising public awareness of the consequences of drug prohibition and working for any positive change in drug policy. We oppose the prison-building frenzy that sweeps the nation and support rational policies consistent with the principles of peace, justice, freedom, compassion and truth. All these have been compromised in the name of the drug war." Or to translate. "Drugs should be legal." Would you be surprised to find that a significant part of DRCNet's work revolves around the legalization of marijuana? That, and writing four-sentence missives to far away newspapers about places and people they know nothing about. The DRCNet site also includes fables about "the myth of heroin overdose" and some really neat recipes for psychedelic drugs. Keep DRCNet and its "more than a thousand dues-paying members," to yourself, Clifford. And if you think it's meaningless to bust a heroin dealer using a motor scooter -- a preferred way to get around our drug torn inner city and elude police -- well, it's time to change the bong water out there in Canyon City. As for Redford, he's outraged that state and local police pulled up 143 pot plants in a Westport drug bust recently. According to Red, "It is utterly absurd to continue marijuana prohibition in light of the fact that every Reefer Madness claim has been disproved a dozen times. A recent study in France concluded that marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco -- either one. So there's no good reason to carry on the ban." I don't know what's funnier, a guy from San Francisco cracking wise about drug policy or a report on intoxication authored by the French. What say we put Redford and Clifford out on the corner of Ruth and Viall Streets for the evening where the California boys can expound on their drug philosophies. We promise the police won't show up 'til morning. And only then to pick up what's left of 'em. CHRIS GONSALVES Mattapoisett - --- Checked-by: Don Beck