Pubdate: Fri, 03 Jan 2003 Source: Kansas City Star (MO) Copyright: 2003 The Kansas City Star Contact: http://www.kcstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221 Author: Redford Givens Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2323/a09.html END DRUG PROHIBITION With most states mired in severe budget deficits, Kansas is misguided in considering expanding its prison system (12/18). Other states are looking to save the $20,000-plus per year per inmate expense of incarcerating marijuana smokers and other nonviolent offenders. Ending drug prohibition would solve the problem of overflowing prisons and would reduce the robberies and property crimes being committed to buy drugs. Releasing the people in Kansas prisons for drug possession who have no history of crimes against people would save the state of Kansas millions per year. One has a hard time understanding why people who have done no wrong to their fellow man are doing hard time. Redford Givens San Francisco - --- MAP posted-by: Alex