Pubdate: Thu, 30 Oct 2003
Source: Daily Advance, The (NC)
Copyright: 2003 Cox Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.dailyadvance.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1700
Author: John Sams
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

GUARD BUST SHOWS DRUG WAR'S FAILURE

Your Oct. 25 article "Prison guard jailed for smuggling pot" describes how 
one guard was caught by the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Drug Task Force that 
is "...working to crack down on drug trade behind bars." In addition, one 
task force agent believed "There are likely other guards smuggling drugs 
into the facility ... you always hear inmates talk about it." The prison 
superintendent said, "You're not going to have a prison that's air tight."

If authorities are unable to control illegal drug use inside prison, where 
inmates have no freedom, does anyone reasonably expect that the "War on 
Drugs" can ever be won in our free society? I don't think so.

Alcohol prohibition failed for the same reason. We ought to use common 
sense and regulate drugs the same way we regulate alcohol, and put the 
resources we pour into the War on Drugs into treatment programs for those 
addicts who want to kick their habits.

JOHN SAMS, Tyner
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager