Pubdate: Sat, 21 Apr 2001
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2001 Detroit Free Press
Contact:  http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: Norma Miranda

BIG BUSINESS

I applaud your comments on America's pathetic war on drugs.

I have watched an entire generation serve insurmountable prison sentences 
for nonviolent crimes while rapists and sexual offenders get probation and 
minimum sentences.

Why don't we just admit what this really is: a big business. While there is 
no money in prevention or rehabilitation, there

is a lot of money to be made in building and maintaining prisons, and in 
paying judges' salaries for the ever-growing dockets of drug offenders. And 
let us not forget how being tough on drugs can make or break a political 
career.

It is no coincidence that the majority of inmates are black and Hispanic. 
The war on drugs provides another avenue to exacerbate the great divide 
between the social classes. Why are we so selective on the war on drugs 
when alcohol and tobacco are equally, if not more, responsible for our 
biggest social problems?

Norma Miranda
Detroit
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