Pubdate: Tue, 25 Nov 2003 Source: Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) Copyright: 2003 Evening Post Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.charleston.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/567 Author: Amy Horwitz Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1780/a02.html RETHINK DRUG POLICIES In the aftermath of the Stratford High drug raid, it is time to look below the surface and realize the destructive consequences of the drug war itself. Let us acknowledge the devastation that can result from drug abuse. Let us also admit that our failed drug policies escalate rather than reduce the risks and violence associated with drug use. This may explain why, as was stated in the Nov. 16 article, the culture of guns and violence has risen while the use of drugs has declined among high school students. Lt. Dave Aarons was quoted as saying that guns were drawn as "a matter of officer safety," and that "anytime you have qualified information regarding drugs and large amounts of money, there's a reasonable assumption weapons are involved." Rather than bringing in officers with drawn guns, we need to reduce the driving force behind the presence of weapons in our schools. I don't want the lives of our students, teachers or police officers put at risk. The time has come to re-examine our failed drug policies and to explore community-strengthening alternatives (such as funded drug treatment programs instead of mandatory sentencing to our already over-crowded prison system) that will save lives as well as tax dollars. Amy Horwitz Alexander St. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin