Pubdate: Tue, 29 Aug 2000
Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX)
Copyright: 2000 Austin American-Statesman
Contact:  P. O. Box 670 Austin, Texas 78767
Fax: 512-445-3679
Website: http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/today/
Author: Patricia Taylor
Bookmark: additional articles on Texas are available at 
http://www.mapinc.org/states/tx.htm and articles on Gov. Johnson (R-NM) are 
available at http://www.mapinc.org/johnson.htm

INEFFECTIVE SOLUTION

I read with interest Neal Peirce's Aug. 14 column "Waiting for answer on 
juvenile justice." Peirce makes several valid points against this country's 
unsuccessful drug policies.

With more nonviolent drug offenders incarcerated than ever before, 
including more of our youths, one would think that the problem of harmful 
drug use would be nearly solved. The facts show that just the opposite is true.

Drugs are more widely available, cheaper and more potent than ever. Our 
present policies are not working. When the solution causes more harm than 
the problem, it's time to find other solutions.

A few brave people, such as New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, are calling for a 
paradigm shift in dealing with illegal drug issues. More people are 
realizing the harm the present policies are causing in terms of wasted 
finances, wasted human potential and lost civil liberties.

PATRICIA TAYLOR

Austin
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