Pubdate: Sat, 03 Jun 2000
Source: Times-Herald, The (CA)
Copyright: {year} The Times-Herald
Contact:  440 Curtola Parkway, Vallejo, CA 94590
Website: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/
Author: Mike Plylar

ABSOLUTE FOLLY

Kenneth Brooks says it all in, "The Drug Czar's Circular Reasoning"
(May 29). Not only is Barry McCaffrey's logic twisted, American drug
policy is loopy as well.

We allow vast quantities of illegal drug income and industry to remain
unregulated and untaxed. We incarcerate obscene numbers of our fellow
citizens with unbelievably long prison terms, for harming themselves
with drugs, while making room for non-violent drug offenders by
allowing very violent felons early release. The courts and law
enforcement have created constitutional "drug" exceptions, in the
quest for the absolutely unattainable "Drug Free America."

Absolutely, unattainable Drug Free America? You mean this is folly?
Look, if we can't keep drugs out the most "maximum" of maximum
security prisons, we darn sure can't keep them out of this once free
country. We should consider a policy that reduces the harm caused by
drugs and ends the evils resulting from the current policies, which
very unsuccessfully attempt to control their use.

Any other way is absolute folly.

Mike Plylar
Kremmling, Colo.
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