Pubdate: Sun, 13 Jan 2002
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2002 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Stephen Levine
Note: The writer is executive director, Charleston NORML.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n028/a01.html

FLAWED DRUG POLICY FILLING OUR PRISONS

Many organizations are working to bring drug-law reform to the Carolinas, 
and only by publication of such commentary as Robert Sharpe's "Change drug 
laws in U.S." (Jan. 8 For the record) will the debate really get going 
here. Thank you.

The United States currently has 5 percent of the world's population, yet 25 
percent of the world's prison population. In South Carolina, non-violent 
drug law violators make up the largest percentage of the prison population, 
and marijuana smokers account for the largest percentage of those arrested 
for non-violent drug law violations.

It's time to rethink our out-of-control "war on drugs."

Stephen Levine, Johns Island, S.C.
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