Pubdate: Wed, 31 May 2000 Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH) Copyright: 2000, The Columbus Dispatch Contact: 34 S. Third St., Columbus, OH 43215 Website: http://www.dispatch.com/ Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n666/a05.html ALL OF US ARE CASUALTIES OF FOOLISH WAR ON DRUGS The allegations of missing cash and marijuana from the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office are not isolated incidents (Dispatch, May 19). The one thing the recent police scandals in Fairfield County, Los Angeles, Washington and elsewhere have in common: the corrupting effect of the drug war. The temptation of easy money is too powerful for some police officers. Civil asset forfeiture has turned what should be protectors of the peace into predators. The drug war engenders the same institutional corruption and disrespect for law enforcement that occurred during America's failed experiment with alcohol prohibition. This is inevitable when military solutions are applied to public-health problems. Police are meant to be protectors, not soldiers controlling what citizens ingest. The fact that an unregulated black market makes it easier for children to purchase illegal drugs than beer should be reason enough to end a counterproductive policy. The Constitution is worth preserving, yet it is increasingly irrelevant thanks to drug-war exemptions. Democracy and state rights are no longer viable when it comes to medical marijuana. The land of the free has put so many nonviolent drug offenders behind bars that we now have the highest incarceration rate in the world. Finally, we have the corruption that is often used as an excuse to strengthen drug laws, despite the fact that the laws themselves are the direct cause. Until the news media start covering these issues, this vicious circle will repeat itself and police corruption will persist. Robert Sharpe Students for Sensible Drug Policy Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk