Pubdate: Thu, 19 Sep 2002
Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT)
Copyright: 2002 The Salt Lake Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sltrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383
Author: Nicholas Bernard

OPPOSE DRUG WAR

On Sept. 27 there will be nationwide demonstrations to protest continuing 
U.S. action in Colombia. We object to the government's misguided policies 
in the "war on drugs," including aerial crop eradication and mandatory 
minimum-drug sentencing. Studies have shown that to reduce cocaine use by 1 
percent, it would cost 23 times more to destroy the source than it would to 
create domestic treatment and prevention programs.

Why is our government spending such huge amounts of money needlessly? Why 
is our government continuing to send American soldiers to fight a war that 
cannot be won? Why is it that one-fourth of all prisoners in American jails 
are incarcerated for nonviolent drug offenses, yet drug use continues to grow?

Current American policy hurts innocent farmers, it hurts our soldiers, and 
it hurts the taxpayers. In response to these policies, we want everyone who 
wishes for an end to misguided U.S. policy and a beginning to peace to be 
at the state Capitol Sept. 27 to show their refusal to support the 
government in its ill-considered actions.

NICHOLAS BERNARD Sandy
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