Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 Source: Wichita Eagle (KS) Copyright: 2002 The Wichita Eagle Contact: http://www.wichitaeagle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/680 Authors: Stan White, Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1313/a02.html Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1200/a05.html HIGH ON HEMP I agreed with Debby Moore's commentary, "Kansas missing out on the potential of hemp" (July 13 opinion pages). Our country needs to reintroduce hemp as a component of American agriculture. I have been buying imported Canadian hemp-seed oil for more than three years and would rather buy it from American farmers. It's time to rein in the U.S. government, which is out of control in prohibiting American farmers from growing and producing this vegetable oil. STAN WHITE Dillon, Colo. - ---------------------------------------- Failed Drug War Regarding The Eagle editorial "Treatment: Change emphasis of state's drug policy" (June 30 Our View): The Kansas Sentencing Commission is to be commended for pursuing alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders. A study conducted by the Rand Corp. found that every additional dollar invested in substance-abuse treatment saves taxpayers $7.46 in societal costs. There is far more at stake than tax dollars. The drug war is not the promoter of family values that some would have us believe. Children of inmates are at risk of educational failure, joblessness, addiction and delinquency. Not only do the children lose out, but society as a whole does, too. Incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders alongside hardened criminals is the equivalent of providing them with a taxpayer-funded education in anti-social behavior. Turning drug users into unemployable ex-cons is a senseless waste of tax dollars. It's time to declare peace in the failed drug war and begin treating all substance abuse, legal or otherwise, as the public-health problem it is. Destroying the futures and families of citizens who make unhealthy choices doesn't benefit anyone. ROBERT SHARPE Program officer Drug Policy Alliance Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens