Pubdate: Mon, 16 Sep 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: Emilaino Antunez

IN 30 YEARS,THE DRUG WAR HASN'T MADE A DENT

After the discovery of crack cocaine in a shoe of Noelle Bush, her father, 
Gov. Jeb Bush, reiterated his plea for privacy. If only the governor, his 
father and brother would grant the rest of the U.S. citizens the same courtesy.

The fact that the governor's daughter is afflicted with this terrible 
addiction lends credence to the failure of the war on drugs. After more 
than 30 years, the drug war has yet to make a dent in consumption of 
illegal drugs.

Yet year after year, billions of taxpayers' dollars are dumped into this 
futile reincarnation of prohibition. Policies that allow bureaucrats to 
snoop into our personal finances and that disregard the Fourth Amendment 
have been justified in the name of the drug war.

Our civil liberties have suffered since the onset of this war, yet we are 
no closer to winning today than when it began.

Another problem is selective enforcement. In the cases of politicians and 
wealthy individuals, drug use is passed off as youthful indiscretion. Less 
affluent individuals, or people without political clout, serve time in 
prison or have their records permanently stained due to indiscretions. 
Adding to this tragedy, violent offenders sometimes are released early so 
that room can be made for nonviolent drug offenders.

Perhaps due to this tragedy, Noelle Bush's father, uncle and grandfather 
will realize the mistakes and failures of their oppressive policies.

Emilaino Antunez, Miami
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager