Re: "Assets being taken unjustly - Forfeiture laws give states free hand to seize property of individuals simply on suspicion, say Laura and John Arnold," Tuesday Viewpoints. As a retired Michigan police detective, I am keenly aware of my profession's desire to "police for profit." As a property room officer, I handled the cash coming in and the sale of mostly $2,000 cars my colleagues seized. Our local prosecutor received 10 percent of all money seized in the county, ensuring political support. How does this work? [continues 104 words]
Tsunamis of drugs have rolled into and around Maryland since the 1960s. As a retired detective, I worked the trenches of our drug war. Polls show 80 percent of the people recognize the total failure of policy. Indeed, the police are a mosquito on the butt of an elephant. We have never, ever been able to make more than a dent in drug availability. Attorney General Brian Frosh needs to come clean to Maryland residents and admit that heroin prohibition is more the cause of deaths than a way to reduce them ("Maryland joins multistate task force to combat heroin," Feb. 12). Howard J. Wooldridge, Buckeystown The writer, a retired police detective, is co-founder of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. [end]
Speaking as a retired detective, I heartily agree with Dan Rodricks' observation that Maryland police officers want - a little too much - to maintain marijuana prohibition ("The social fears behind the pot wars," Feb. 27). Based on my 17 years of involvement in reform, the last eight on Capitol Hill as a lobbyist and advocate, my profession has three reasons to keep marijuana illegal: money, money and emotion. Police make lots of money in the easy overtime for the minor bust and drug squads and receive lots of "free" money from the federal and state governments to chase a green plant. Civil asset forfeiture is an important and growing factor in police budgets. Drug cases actually bring money into the department, whereas arresting a pedophile is a drain on the budget. [continues 67 words]
As a retired detective, I support moving simple possession of marijuana down to a parking ticket-level offense ("Zirkin, Kittleman propose decriminalizing marijuana Jan. 21). My active-duty colleagues will have more time for pedophiles, the deadly drunk driver and other public safety threats. Most police officers did not sign on for the job to chase a green plant. Howard J. Wooldridge, Adamstown *End* [end]
Regarding Wednesday's article "Heroin abuse, deaths on the rise," as a retired police officer, I am familiar with drug overdose and death. As a traveler, I have met with doctors and officials in Switzerland to see first-hand the success of their method of handling heroin. Since 1994 they have treated heroin use as a medical issue and have been rewarded with dramatic decreases in crime, and no one in the program has died of an overdose in 16 years. This model has been adopted by Germany, Denmark and Holland because it works. [continues 69 words]
As a retired police detective, I heartily agree with the proponents cited in community columnist John Ridley's Dec. 21 column that we should legalize, regulate and tax marijuana. My street experience showed that marijuana, though certainly no play toy of a drug, is much, much safer than alcohol for both the user and those around him. My profession - the thin blue line - is getting much thinner all across Wisconsin. Do you want us to keep wasting time on a green plant? We are missing child predators even now. Howard Wooldridge Merrimac [end]
As a retired police officer, I heartily agree with PG columnist Tony Norman ("Legalized Pot? Like Getting Bonged in the Head," July 13) that marijuana should be treated like alcohol, i.e., legal, regulated and taxed. My profession will arrest more deadly DUIs and more child molesters when we stop arresting 800,000 marijuana users and suppliers each year. The police can once again focus on our original mission: public safety. Adamstown, Md. [end]
As a street cop who worked the trenches of the drug war spanning three decades, I heartily agree with the observations of Sutton Stokes ("Is marijuana legalization finally on the march in the U.S.?" Communities, Tuesday). The prohibition of marijuana and the subsequent arrest of 800,000 citizens, mostly for personal use, means less time for deadly DUI offenders. When detectives are flying around in helicopters trying to find green plants, they are missing the pedophiles who are in the Internet chat rooms making contact with our young teens. We have all seen NBC's "To Catch a Predator." Police labs are not opening 400,000 rape kits and putting the DNA in the computer because proving the green stuff is marijuana is more of a priority. [continues 54 words]
During my 18 years of police service I was sent to zero calls generated by the use of cannabis. Though it is no play toy, cannabis is not worthy of police time. Every hour my colleagues in New Zealand spend chasing the non-violent, non-problem cannabis user means less time for the deadly DUI (drink driver) and those who hurt our women and children. The obvious solution to cannabis is to treat it like alcohol. The police have much more important tasks. Howard Wooldridge Washington DC [end]
As a retired police detective, I certainly agree with Richard Moter's thoughtful letter ["Legalization of marijuana is no joke," Feb. 12]. Every hour we chase the Michael Phelpses and the Willie Nelsons of the Commonwealth, we have less time for the deadly reckless and DUI drivers, and less time for catching child molesters and other public safety threats. My profession needs to return to its original purpose: public safety. If you have a problem with marijuana, alcohol, or cigarettes, see a doctor for treatment. The Thin Blue Line has much more important tasks. Howard Wooldridge Washington [end]
As a student of history, I know that the arrest and incarceration of Miguel Caro-Quintero simply opened a job opportunity which has already been filled. The criminal justice system will grind away and eventually catch his replacement. The Post will have another big headline and law enforcement will crow about catching another big fish. See me snoozing here. We have seen these headlines for forty years! The real victim here is the taxpayer who will chunk out 17 years times $35,000 to keep Caro-Quintero locked up. If Colorado really want to punish drug dealers and watch them cry, legalize, regulate and tax marijuana. Howard Wooldridge, Golden [end]
As a Michigan police officer who fought in the trenches of the Drug War, I can only add this to the observations of Shayne Morrow: namely, public safety in Canada is significantly reduced by this Modern Prohibition. Every hour RCMP members chase cannabis and other drugs, they have less time for the deadly DUI, the child molesters and other public safety threats. Drug gangs cause significant violent crime, reducing the time to chase regular bad guys. Recently, Mexico took the bold and enlightened step to decriminalize personal amounts of all drugs. The Obama administration sent the signal that any country in this hemisphere is now allowed to set its own approach to drugs. Canada, what are you waiting for? Howard Wooldridge Washington, DC [end]
Increasing public safety is another excellent reason to legalize marijuana. During my 18 years as a police officer I was dispatched to zero calls generated by the use of marijuana. My profession could arrest a lot more deadly DUIs and child predators, if we stopped chasing soccer moms and others smoking pot. Howard Wooldridge [end]
It's obvious to this 18-year police veteran who fought in the trenches of the drug war that Trib columnist and rock musician Ted Nugent never did ["We could be winning the war on drugs," June 12]. Moreover, he must not know the good guys have arrested 39 million citizens on drug charges. Despite that and the largest prison system in the world, drugs are cheaper, stronger and easier for our kids to buy. Can Mr. Nugent spell prohibition? And is he credible when he says this nation has not been serious enough or diligent enough? [continues 127 words]
Regarding "Group seeks drug legalization in Oklahoma" (news feature, June 15): From my perspective of 18 years a police officer (now retired), I know that drug prohibition decreases public safety and increases crime. As a detective, 70 percent of my felony caseload was associated with drug prohibition. Legal cocaine that would cost $2 to $3 per day for an addict now costs $200 a day. Thus, an addict must break into your home or steal your car or identity to pay for it. When a drug dealer shoots another dealer, the police have less time to find rapists. At the federal level, drug prohibition provides the majority of the money used by Islamic terrorists. Our modern form of prohibition is funding our mortal enemies. Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs seems ready to go back to the days of alcohol prohibition. Great: a moonshine still next to every meth lab! Howard Wooldridge, Dallas, Texas [end]
Re: Victoria's top cop vows to catch drug dealers (News, May 22) With all due respect to my colleague, Chief Jamie Graham, he knows it is not drugs and violence that go together, rather drug trade and violence. We know that every drug dealer ever arrested or shot is replaced very quickly. The only net effect of a drug bust is the taxpayers must build another prison bed. The only thing that strikes terror into the hearts of drug dealers is one word: legalization. Howard J. Wooldridge Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Washington, D.C. [end]
As a retired Michigan street cop, I can add only one element to Rhonda Swan's excellent analysis of marijuana prohibition; namely that public safety is reduced because of the prohibition. My profession spends literally millions of hours chasing the Michael Phelpses of the world and their suppliers. Every such hour spent means less time for the deadly DUI, the rapist, the child molester, the people flying airplanes into buildings. Moreover, I know that the state, through its police force, cannot stop personal stupidity done in the privacy of one's home. Only family and friends can stop such behavior. My profession must return to its original task: public safety. HOWARD WOOLDRIDGE, education specialist Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Washington [end]
Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Garrison Courtney said the arrest of 755 people last week made a "dent" in the drug trade ("100,000 foot soldiers in cartels," Page 1, Tuesday). As a Michigan police officer for 18 years, I too made a "dent" from time to time. Of course, all of us in law enforcement know that the dent is repaired within a few days as new drug dealers and mules take the place of those arrested or shot. This process has been going on for about 40 years. [continues 114 words]
As a retired police detective, I heartily agree with Katherine Heerbrandt's Feb. 9 column, "Smoke signals." During my 18 years of service, I was sent to zero calls generated by the use of marijuana. Its prohibition caused several shootings, as dealers shot other dealers for the money and the green stuff. I never handled a call where a beer distributor had a gunfight with a whiskey salesman. The only aspect that was not mentioned was the tremendous reduction in public safety. As officers and deputies in Frederick spend thousands of hours finding and arresting for marijuana, they have less time for the deadly DUI, child predators and other public safety threats. If you have a drug problem one day, see a doctor. The police have much more important tasks. Howard J Wooldridge Frederick [end]
As a retired police detective and student of history, I believe the only way to "clean up" Orchard Mews of the violence associated with the drug trade is to end the prohibition of drugs ("Two sides of the street, but one problem bedeviling both," Jan. 25). After 40 years of drug war, we still have large parts of Baltimore and many other major cities in America that are more dangerous than the streets in Iraq. This madness of prohibition has not produced one positive outcome. So why are we still on this failed road? Howard Wooldridge Frederick The writer is a retired police officer and an education specialist for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition [end]
The meth lab is the moonshine still of the 21st century. If we allowed adult citizens of Wyoming access to the same amphetamines that we give to Air Force pilots to fly long missions, Wyoming would no longer have a meth problem. The solution to meth and meth labs has been in front of you the whole time. Meth dealers only fear one change: legalization of amphetamines. Amphetamines are a powerful drug. Just ask Elvis when you get to heaven. Legalization and regulation will eliminate the crime, violence and environmental damage caused by its prohibition. Howard J. Woldridge, Louisville, Colo. [end]
To the editor: As a Michigan police officer for 18 years, I was sent to zero calls for service generated by the use of marijuana. While Mr. Lehman throws out a stat that shows 20 percent of Woodland's patients have an issue with marijuana, what he did not tell you is that courts give people a choice: jail or treatment. Of course, they all choose treatment, whether they abuse marijuana or not. Moreover, Mr. Lehman's claim that pot use will go up because it is available for patients is false. [continues 81 words]
The meth lab is the moonshine still of the 21st Century. If we allowed adult citizens of Mississippi access to the same amphetamines that we give to Air Force pilots to fly long missions, Mississippi would no longer have a meth problem. The solution to meth and meth labs has been in front of you the whole time. The war on drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral domestic policy since slavery and Jim Crow. Drug dealers only fear one thing: legalization. Howard J. Wooldridge Education specialist Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Washington, D.C. [end]
I learned something about how drug prohibition generates crime during my 18 years of police service. Eighty percent of my property-crime case load was caused by addicts needing money to pay sky-high prices for crack, etc. Legal crack would cost an addict about a dollar per day, as would heroin and amphetamines. Ronald Shafer (Letters, Dec. 30) worries about what drug dealers would do without their prohibition-generated jobs. The one million teens who sell drugs would begin flipping burgers and mowing yards. Serious thugs will rob banks where we will capture or kill them. Or was Mr. Shafer suggesting to continue prohibition as a jobs program for bad guys? Howard J. Wooldridge Education Specialist Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Washington [end]
As a police officer who worked the trenches of the drug war, I learned that every drug dealer arrested or shot was quickly replaced. Your newspaper trumpets the news that five meth labs were taken down. So what? They will be quickly replaced either in North Carolina or Mexico. Sure you feel good, but the problem comes back like the tide. To rid America of the scourge of drug dealers, we must be as wise and courageous as our grandparents; end prohibition, legalize, regulate and tax these drugs just like we do alcohol and cigarettes. Do you want to feel good for a day or solve your crime and violence problem? Howard J. Wooldridge education specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Washington [end]
As a retired police officer, I understand where my colleague, DEA agent Dunlap (Dec. 20 guest opinion), is coming from regarding marijuana prohibition. I enforced the 55 mph speed limit my entire 18-year career. It was a bad law and generated huge amounts of disrespect for law, as tens of millions of citizens circumvented the law by buying radar detectors. Marijuana prohibition is quite similar; 100 million have smoked it, though none has died as a result. DEA Dunlap defends prohibition because it is his paycheck on the line. Without the prohibition of drugs, he is on the street looking for a job in a bad economy. He knows that tobacco and alcohol will kill at a roughly 40-to-1 ratio vs. illegal drugs. How dangerous a drug can be has never been the issue. Follow the money. Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (retired) education specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Washington, D.C. [end]
(Regarding "Cocaine threat growing; Heroin also major problem here, authorities say," The Tribune-Democrat, Dec. 21:) During my 18 years of police service, I learned that the use of alcohol was the No. 1 cause of police calls. With all due respect to my colleague, (Somerset County Drug Task Force coordinator) Detective Jason Hunter, the use of heroin never generated a police call for service. He was probably referring to the need for heroin addicts to steal, because instead of paying a dollar per day for heroin, addicts need a hundred times that. [continues 71 words]
As a retired police detective, I am only too aware of the ways Ronald Fraser's observations ring true ("Getting paid with raids," Commentary, Dec. 10). Civil asset forfeiture has corrupted my profession. Hundreds of cases of this kind of corruption come to light every year, and they are generated by our dysfunctional and immoral drug war. It should be pointed out that prosecutors' offices also often profit from such forfeitures. Everyone wants this "free" money. Will it take a depression to force us to abandon the modern form of prohibition that is the war on drugs? Howard J. Wooldridge Frederick The writer is an education specialist for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. [end]
As a retired police officer who worked the trenches of the drug war spanning three decades, I heartily agree with Ethan Nadelmann's call to end all drug prohibition. A world without drug dealers and their violence means my colleagues will have more time for the deadly DUI, child molesters and other public-safety threats. Moreover, the state via its police department cannot stop personal stupidity. It is past time for the police to again focus on public safety. Your personal safety is an issue for family and friends. Howard J. Wooldridge The writer is an education specialist with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP.cc). [end]
As a police officer who worked the trenches of the drug war spanning three decades, I heartily agree with views of Edmund Carpenter ("Deadly war against drugs isn't worth the human cost," Dec. 14). We know (but don't tell the public) that every drug dealer arrested or shot is quickly replaced. The only way to achieve a country without drug dealers is to handle these drugs like we do alcohol and cigarettes. Howard J. Wooldridge Frederick, Md. [end]
Tom Vannah wrote an excellent analysis regarding the Bay State's new law reducing the penalties for simple possession of marijuana ["The Pot Test," Nov. 13, 2008]. He wondered about why law enforcement and others would spread false information. I suggest he follow the money. My profession, police, knows that without prohibition policies towards some drugs, crime would be cut dramatically, thus reducing the need for detectives and prison guards. Paychecks and overtime are huge incentives for the law enforcement community to resist repealing prohibition laws. Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (retired) Education Specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Washington, D.C. [end]
During my 18 years as a police officer in Michigan I saw how marijuana prohibition reduced public safety. As my colleagues spent their midnight shifts looking for a baggie of pot under some kid's seat, the deadly DUI sailed on by and killed more. As detectives flew around in planes looking for a pot garden, they were missing the child molesters near the playground. Note that during my 18 years of service I went to zero calls generated by the use of pot. Marijuana, like all mind-altering drugs, is a poor choice. Having the police chase adult users dramatically reduces public safety in Oregon. Howard J. Wooldridge Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (retired) Washington, D.C. [end]
Columnist Jack Spillane asked why law enforcement opposes Question 2 by asking what they are smoking (Sept. 20). As a retired police officer, I can tell you exactly why they oppose Question 2: Money. We receive millions of dollars to hire new officers to combat the crime generated by modern prohibition. We love the overtime to go to court for pot cases. Sheriffs also like the money from civil asset forfeiture, as do the district attorneys like Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter. We love the job option of being a narcotics officer, which also generates generous overtime checks. [continues 52 words]
Thank you for exposing your readers to the reality that a significant portion of law enforcement professionals oppose the policy of drug prohibition and its attendant strategy we call the "war on drugs." We, in the trenches, know what a horrendous waste of time it is to chase Willie Nelson, Whitney Houston and their suppliers. I just read your "Surrender is no victory" op-ed. The issue is not: Are these prohibited drugs dangerous or deadly? That is a given. If being dangerous were the criteria, alcohol and tobacco would be illegal. I ask you to deliver to your readers your reasons why you believe that prohibition is the most effective drug control strategy to reduce crime, death, disease and drug use. Please tell them all the advantages of the current policy as we go into our second trillion in spending. [continues 82 words]
During my 18 years as a police officer, I learned that illegal drug use rarely caused a problem. Letter writer Ellen Pollard's contrary assertion is flat wrong. The prohibition of drugs fuels property and violent crime, the former to pay the extremely high prices for illegal drugs. The violent crime comes from drug dealers settling disputes with a gun. As a drug-control strategy, modern prohibition has been and will continue to be a dismal failure. Worse, it provides job opportunities for our kids to sell drugs and it provides billions to al-Qaeda. Howard J. Wooldridge education specialist Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Washington, D.C. [end]
Dear Editor: As a retired Michigan police detective and education specialist with the Washington, D.C.-based Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, I must inform you that Mia Thomas completely misunderstands the nexus between guns and drugs (Drugs lead to gunplay, The Record, Aug. 9). Street drug dealers need guns to settle their disputes since they cannot go to court. It is drug prohibition, not the drugs themselves, that causes drug dealers to arm themselves. The clerks who sell Canada's two deadliest drugs, alcohol and tobacco, are not arming themselves because there is no need. The need for guns and violence disappear when Canada becomes wise enough to end modern prohibition. Howard J. Wooldridge, Frederick, Maryland [end]
Before I retired as a police officer, I participated in drug raids in which I momentarily pointed my gun at 9-year-olds as well as dogs. The death of the Berwyn Heights mayor's dogs [Metro, July 31], the loss of a missionary shot down over Colombia in 2001, innocent pedestrians killed when drug dealers open up on each other -- these tragedies are simply the collateral damage that is necessary for Maryland to remain drug-free. As much as Prince George's County Sheriff Michael Jackson should be embarrassed ["Shoot First, Ask Later," editorial, Aug. 7], so should The Post, since it supports the current drug control strategy of prohibition. This strategy caused the death of the two dogs, not marijuana. And oh, we are drug-free in Maryland, aren't we? Howard J. Wooldridge 54 Frederick The writer is an education specialist with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, which favors the legalization and regulation of all drugs. [end]
Drugs Are Now Stronger, Cheaper and More Available in America Sir, My colleague, Chief Constable Tim Hollis ("Think tank: fight smart in the war on drugs", August 3) needs to read more news from the United States about police tactics regarding the enforcing of drug prohibition laws. Every suggestion he made has been implemented and been successful, ie knocking down drug kingpins, seizing assets etc. Despite success after success, victory after victory, drugs in the States are cheaper, stronger and more available to kids than a trillion tax dollars ago. This has been a textbook example of ineffective policy. [continues 115 words]
When I was a Michigan police detective, I learned that drug dealers fear only one thing -- legalization. They risk death and 20-year mandatory minimum jail terms as the conditions of employment, no problem. If and when the government wakes up and decides it wants to regulate, control and restrict sales of dangerous drugs, the bad guys know their days of being the managers of the nation's drug supplies are numbered. Bill Steigerwald's observations about the DEA were spot on. DEA agents know they are mosquitoes on an elephant, but, hey, it's a paycheck. Howard J. Wooldridge Frederick, Md. The writer is an education specialist with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. [end]
As a Michigan police officer, marijuana use generated zero calls for service during my 18 years on the street. The fact is marijuana prohibition is a cash cow for law enforcement in terms of job security and an excellent way to earn overtime (going to court for pot cases). My colleague Chief Rohmer's support for continued prohibition is curious. He knows that every hour his officers spend searching for and arresting an adult using pot in their own homes means less time for the deadly DUI, child molesters etc. No question that pot prohibition reduces public safety. Howard J. Wooldridge Education Specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Washington, DC [end]
As a retired police detective, I learned that modern prohibition generates 70-80 percent of all felony crime in Texas. My profession has spent a trillion tax dollars since 1971 to arrest 38 million on drug charges. For all that, drugs are cheaper, stronger and easier for teens to buy. Pauken wants to return to the '80s. Even then, teens died selling drugs, terrorists earned billions in the drug trade and Texas built dozens of prisons -- and one new college. Howard J. Wooldridge, Dallas [end]
Dear Editor: As a retired police detective, it was embarrassing to read how my colleagues of the California Narcotics Officers employ a lobbyist to protect their jobs, lucrative overtime and toys bought by the taxpayers to chase California patients. Meanwhile the owners of tens of thousands of personal computers in California containing child porn and child rape videos sleep soundly, knowing police officers value a marijuana bust more that arresting them. How sad. Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (retired) Education Specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc) Washington, DC [end]
I'm a retired police detective. Despite spending a trillion tax dollars to arrest 39 million Americans on drug charges, drugs are cheaper, stronger and very easy for kids to buy. So much for a return on investment. The drug war has truly been a bridge to nowhere. Legalization is a solution to the crime, and the violence and chaos created when illegal drugs are sold. Howard J. Wooldridge Frederick, Md. [end]
I can only add one element to Bill Richardson's excellent analysis of the meth issue ("What about the other drugs?" Opinion 2, April 18); namely, that if adults had access to the same amphetamines we give our Air Force and Navy pilots, the problems associated with meth would be dramatically reduced. That our pilots are given amphetamines, allowed to operate heavy machinery (jets) and then make life-and-death decisions to drop bombs under the influence makes it ironic to absurd that an adult waitress can not be allowed the same pill to pour my coffee while she works a 12-hour shift. Howard J. Wooldridge Education Specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Washington, D.C [end]
During my 18 years as a Michigan police officer I was dispatched to zero calls generated by the use of marijuana. Whatever the science says about what good or harm it does, it is a horrendous waste of good police time chasing adult users and sellers. We have crimes which have a real victim going unsolved because we spend so much time on pot. Child porn comes to mind. Give marijuana roughly the same regulations and restrictions as alcohol and tobacco. Get this monkey off our backs! Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (retired) is an Educational Specialist for Law Enforcment Against Prohibition in Washington D.C. [end]
Dear Editor, As a retired Michigan police officer, I saw firsthand how public safety was dramatically reduced by the prohibition of marijuana. While I focused my night shift on the deadly DUI driver, colleagues like Ben Sizemore would spend their 12 hours searching for a baggie of pot. As detectives spent time busting dealers and looking for a marijuana garden, child molesters were able to meet our 13-year-olds online without a problem. I would give marijuana the same rules and regulations as alcohol and tobacco, our two deadliest drugs. Ben Sizemore was just silly talking about allowing a bus driver to smoke and drive or a pilot smoke and fly an airplane. He was also factually wrong that hard drug users started with marijuana. Almost every crack head I arrested started their illegal drug use by smoking cigarettes at 12 or 13. Later, they tried alcohol and then they tried pot. If I could wave a magic wand and rid the world of only one drug, it would be alcohol. I bet my pension Mr. Sizemore would agree. Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (retired) Bath Township P.D. [end]
As a retired police detective, I heartily support Dan Rodricks' call for peace instead of more of the war on drugs. This modern form of prohibition generates massive amounts of crime victims as drug addicts steal and rob to support their habit. Meanwhile, my law enforcement colleagues spend less time than they could stopping drunken drivers and child predators because we are forced to spend time arresting nonviolent drug users. Prohibition is chaos. Drug legalization would mean regulation and control. Howard J. Wooldridge Frederick The writer is an education specialist for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. [end]
Carl Mumpower believes the government thru its police department can protect a citizen who is doing something stupid in their own home. His faith is misplaced. As a police officer, I learned we cannot stop personal stupidity in ones' home. Only family and friends can help someone with a personal demon. All we can do is put them in jail. How is that helping? Will North Carolina be able to afford to keep locking up its citizens in the recession? Will it lay off college professors or prison guards? Will we ever be as wise as our grandparents and end this modern prohibition? Wooldridge is an Education Specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc) [end]
As a Michigan police officer, I worked the trenches of the drug war/prohibition for 18 years. Despite the arrest of millions of drug dealers, the feds readily admit that drugs are readily available to our kids. Joseph Brown, who realizes that after a trillion tax dollars spent we are no closer to a drug-free America, wants a new strategy? Me, too. This is prohibition, not a drug war. We can eliminate the single greatest evil force in America today - drug dealers - by following the example of our grandparents, who did it in 1933: end the new Prohibition. Howard J. Wooldridge, Frederick, Md. [end]
When I was a Michigan police officer, I spent my 12-hour shifts focusing on the drunk and reckless driver because they actually kill people. During my 18 years of service, the use of marijuana generated zero calls for service. Denver police might fear a change based on what Upton Sinclair said long ago: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on him not understanding it." As a realist, I am confident that the use of alcohol will always generate enough trouble, so that no officers will need to lose their paychecks when Colorado allows marijuana to be legal, regulated and taxed. Howard J. Wooldridge Westminster, CO [end]
