Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jun 2000
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2000 The Denver Post
Contact:  1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202
Fax: (303) 820.1502
Website: http://www.denverpost.com/
Forum: http://www.denverpost.com/voice/voice.htm
Author: Roderick Smith

MUST BE A BETTER WAY TO FIGHT DRUG WAR

While detesting the ruin and misery caused by illegal drugs, I cannot
help but observe the ruin and misery of our own society's
drug-prohibition efforts. Witness The Post's own reports.

Phony presidential certification of foreign governments "aiding" the
United States to cure our own internal dependencies.

No significant decrease in teen drug use despite spending billions of
dollars over half a century.

Professional athletes and Hollywood actors thumb their noses and walk
away from drug charges.

Children used to smuggle drugs.

Seizure and forfeiture laws laugh at the Bill of Rights.

Law-enforcement officials prostitute themselves in front of
legislatures to bloat their power, appropriations and salaries.

Foreign businessmen posting boun ties on the heads of federal
agents.

Continued bribery of officials, street crime and gangsterism.

A Human Rights Watch report critical of the racial disparities of drug
enforcement and incarceration.

As bad as illegal drug use is, how much longer before the citizenry
realizes that the cure is worse than the disease?

Drug prohibition, like alcohol prohibition, is a failure supported
principally by gangster drug lords and law enforcement personnel with
conflicts of interest.

Let's rethink this issue. Money is driving the problem. Tax money
appropriations. Illegal sales. Foreign funding. Bribery.

Enough is enough. Let's be honest with ourselves and our children.
There must be a better way.

Roderick Smith, Englewood
- ---
MAP posted-by: Allan Wilkinson