Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jun 2002
Source: Miami Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2002 The Miami Herald
Contact:  http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/262
Author: Anthony Lorenzo
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1071/a01.html

POVERTY AND DRUGS

Re the Saturday Speakup letter, Miami Police are committed to rooting out 
illegal drugs:

Drug arrests aren't solving anything. Poverty, lack of education, lack of 
treatment for those who wish to get help and prohibition fuel the war on drugs.

The chief states that "fewer drugs equal less crime." Let me enlighten the 
chief: Less poverty equals less crime. Unfortunately, Chief Martinez has no 
control of the economic status of Overtown.

Martinez won't be fired by the residents of Overtown since they are 
predominantly black. Black males are 10 times more likely (national 
average) than whites to end up in prison and lose their privilege to vote. 
The reality is that prohibition criminalizes cultures that are poor and 
silences them in the political arena.

I hope that all blacks turn out to vote for Daryl Jones, Democratic 
gubernatorial candidate. He is the only candidate who opposes putting 
first- and second-time offenders in prison for possession. He supports use 
of medical marijuana.

Anthony Lorenzo

Melbourne
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