Pubdate: Wed, 06 Feb 2002
Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX)
Copyright: 2002 Austin American-Statesman
Contact:  http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32
Author: Dean Becker

MISDIRECTED DOLLARS

Washington spent $3.2 million for commercials during the Super Bowl. These 
ads "suggest illegal drug sale profits may help fuel terrorism." Certainly 
it's true in part; everybody knows millions of dollars leave our shores 
each year on their way to dictators, drug lords and criminals of every variety.

What our government does not address is the 1.2 million non-violent drug 
users who are already terrorized each year by those riding this eternal 
gravy train. The terror may include death, arrest, prison, loss of children 
and possessions.

Civilized nations are moving away from the U.S. drug war model to one where 
cannabis possession is no longer an arrestable offense and heroin or 
methadone is given to addicts by government clinics.

Through a controlled and regulated distribution of drugs to adults, the 
whole black-market would disappear overnight, leaving the dealers, drug 
lords and terrorists without a market.

DEAN BECKER

Drug Policy Forum of Texas

Houston
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