Pubdate: Fri, 16 Feb 2001
Source: The Yuma Daily Sun (AZ)
Copyright: 2001 The Yuma Daily Sun
Contact:  Letters to Editor, Yuma Daily Sun, P.O. Box 271, Yuma, AZ 86366
Fax: (520) 343-1009
Website: http://www.yumasun.com/

AG HAS GOOD PRIORITIES... EXCEPT ONE

The nation's new attorney general, John Ashcroft, set out a broad agenda 
for his office in a recent interview. His top three priorities are 
increased prosecution of gun law violators, a reinvigoration of the war on 
drugs and stamping out racial discrimination. With one exception, these are 
good goals.

Racial discrimination has been a plague on our nation throughout its 
existence. Although the Declaration of Independence clearly states we are 
all created equal, different races have often in practice faced 
mistreatment and discrimination.

We think most would agree it is a worthy goal to correct this great wrong 
to the full extent that the law and our Constitution allow.

Similarly, we think most would agree that the nation's laws designed to 
prevent improper or illegal use of guns should be enforced to the full 
extent allowed.

Unfortunately, too often in the past the goal seems to have been to keep 
adding new gun laws that threaten the legitimate rights of lawful gun 
owners rather than enforcing the present ones. It should never be forgotten 
that gun ownership is Constitutionally protected in America. It is not the 
ownership of guns that is the problem, but the unlawful use of them. The 
goal should be to go after those who misuse weapons, not those who lawfully 
own them.

Ashcroft appears to understand this distinction and deserves full support 
in his efforts to crack down on gun criminals.

One of Ashcroft's goals, however, is misguided and doomed to failure. That 
is his plan to reinvigorate the war on drugs.

The war on drugs is a lost cause. No matter how hard we crack down on drug 
use, the problem will not go away because addicts and their suppliers won't 
obey laws against drugs.

The answer is not tougher laws or enforcement, but rather to deal with drug 
addiction as a social issue, much like we do with alcoholism. Treat the 
cause, which is addiction, rather than the symptom, which is drug dealing.

Just like Prohibition failed with regard to alcohol, drug prohibition laws 
are doomed to fail. All they do is serve to create a terrible wave of crime 
and merciless criminals who compete to feed the illegal market.

It is time for a totally new approach to drug use in America - in fact, we 
already know how to deal with the problem. Deal with drugs the same way we 
deal with alcohol.

What is not needed is a return to the war on drugs which was lost long ago.
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