Pubdate: Sat, 07 Jul 2001 Source: Detroit Free Press (MI) Copyright: 2001 Detroit Free Press Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125 Website: http://www.freep.com/ Author: Debra S. Wright Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1180/a06.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption) ALTERNATIVES NEEDED IN DRUG WAR The news about the indictment of Rep. Keith Stallworth, D-Detroit, is unfortunate but not surprising -- realizing that these are only charges, and those indicted are innocent until proven guilty. Drug prohibition has given us international drug cartels, widespread corruption, impure drugs that kill and injure thousands each year and easy access for anyone who wants them. Drug prohibition has given us children selling drugs in the streets, killings over drug-selling turf and huge profits for those who are willing to take the risks. It has also made our country the world leader in incarceration. What will it take before our country is willing to learn from our history? Alcohol prohibition didn't work. It created gangsters like Al Capone, was responsible for killing thousands and was finally repealed. Like alcohol prohibition in the early 1900s, the drug war is causing tremendous societal harm while failing miserably at preventing drug use. Drugs are a medical and social problem that we're treating like a law-enforcement problem. The war on drugs is a miserable failure; let's look to some sensible alternatives. Debra S. Wright, Ann Arbor - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk