Pubdate: Tue, 07 May 2002
Source: Appleton Post-Crescent (WI)
Copyright: 2002 The Post-Crescent
Contact:  http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1443

WAR ON DRUGS COSTLY POLITICAL CURRENCY

Kudos to Dr. John Haselow for his sensible letter April 30, explaining why 
legalization is the only solution to the failed war on drugs. While our 
elected representatives are, for the most part, so concerned about being 
re-elected, they are scared to tout solutions to the problems of drugs in 
society, it is time for serious discussion of this issue.

With Wisconsin's budget crisis threatening cutbacks in basic services, it 
is appropriate that the state Legislature's "tough on crime" policies be 
discarded. We can no longer afford to lock up otherwise law-abiding 
Wisconsinites engaged in consensual drug offenses so politicians can claim 
they are tough on crime.

This nation's failed experiment with alcohol prohibition ended when states 
stopped enforcing that law. At the state Libertarian convention in Madison 
April 13, New Mexico's Republican Governor, Gary Johnson, called for the 
legalization of marijuana. That would be a good start.

Gary Storck,

Madison
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