Pubdate: Sun, 03 Jun 2001
Source: Galveston County Daily News (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Galveston Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.galvnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/164
Author: Dean Becker

DRACONIAN DRUG LAWS LEAD TO MORE WOES

On May 21, 2 drug peddlers were killed, another wounded in Houston over 45 
pounds of low grade Mexican pot. The dead peddlers left 3 children without 
fathers.

Tuesday, 2 cops are killed in Houston, another is critically injured by 
gunfire. The reason? Drugs.

In the morning, a sheriffs deputy is shot in the head by a "gang banger" 
who wanted to escape 2 to 5 years of incarceration. Because of prior 
scrapes with the law, the small amount of drugs he had in his pocket would 
have earned a mandatory sentence. (2 more fatherless children.)

In the evening, a Houston cop is shot thru the head by a drug dealer who 
wanted to escape the same 2 to 5 years of incarceration. The dealer also 
shot another Houston cop who is now in intensive care. The suspect was also 
wounded during this scrape. (2 more fatherless children.)

The suspects in these shootings have now all been arrested and likely will 
receive the death penalty, deservedly so. Yet the city of Houston is now 
without the services of these outstanding officers.

Several young children are now and henceforward without the fathers they 
love. The reason? Prohibition.

Without our draconian drug laws, the drugs these men had in their 
possession would be worth pennies not dollars and the "fight or flight" 
reaction of these killers would not have been triggered.

For the sake of our society, it is time to end the drug war.. for the sake 
of the children.

Dean Becker, Community Liaison, Drug Policy Forum of Texas
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D