Pubdate: Fri, 09 Feb 2001
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2001 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  701 W 8th St, Vancouver, WA 98666
Website: http://www.columbian.com/
Forum: http://www.webforums.com/forums/trace/host/msa70.html
Author: Gary Cavener
In response to OPED: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n176/a10.html?21670

WAR ON DRUG USERS IS FAILING

In her Jan. 28 opinion, "WAR ON ILLEGAL DRUGS SHOULD BE ESCALATED," Sandra 
Bennett seems to argue that doing more of the same and throwing more money 
at a serious problem will make it disappear.  She criticizes those who 
question the wisdom of our global war on drug users.

Bennett states that marijuana is more full of carcinogens than 
tobacco.  That may be true, but how many marijuana smokers smoke two packs 
a day?  I do not accept her assertion that emergency rooms are filled with 
marijuana smokers.

Bennett worries that legal drugs would cause drug use to skyrocket among 
our youth.  Any eighth-grader can attest that it is easier to get 
marijuana, cocaine or LSD than beer.

The majority of the most vocal support for the war on drug users seems to 
be coming from the police, prison industry and prison guard unions and 
such.  This war has given them a real shot in the fiscal arm.

If Bennett sees "Traffic" one more time and with an open mind, she might 
notice that the movie shows what an utter flop the war on drug users really is.

Gary Cavener Oregon City, OR
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