Pubdate: Thu, 12 Oct 2000
Source: Herald, The (WA)
Copyright: 2000 The Daily Herald Co.
Contact:  P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA  98206-0930
Fax: (425) 339-3435
Website: http://www.heraldnet.com/
Author: Dennis L. Johnson

WAR ON DRUGS

Costs Taxpayers Too Much

The Herald is right in its Sept. 28 editorial, "No new taxes mean too few 
deputies in county." One only needs to realize that half of all the inmates 
in prison are there because of the war on drugs. If we intend to adhere to 
this policy, we need a lot more cops. In fact, if we only arrested and 
prosecuted pot smokers, we have over 50 million people in the U.S. that, 
per the existing laws, we need to send to prison.

Not only do we need more cops, but more prosecutors, judges, jailers and 
prisons as well. Not just a few, but tens of thousands more. Of course, if 
we end the war on drugs, most of the crime the judicial system has to deal 
with would simply go away. Think about it. No more burglaries or armed 
robberies to finance heroin habits. No more drug dealers to pursue and 
arrest. Even gangs would have a hard time supporting themselves if they 
lost their illegal revenues from drug sales. We would only need about half 
as many police, judges, prosecutors, jailers, lawyers and prisons. The 
county doesn't need just a little tax increase, it needs 100 percent of 
everyone's paycheck to support this insane policy. So, we have a choice - 
either sign over your entire paycheck to the law enforcement establishment 
or get smart and write to your elected representatives demanding an end to 
the war on drugs.

DENNIS L. JOHNSON

Smokey Point
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