Pubdate: Mon, 20 Dec 2004
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2004 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/letters/sendletter.html
Website: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n1794.a03.html

COMBAT BAD CHOICES WITH OTHER METHODS

Support for the drug war would end overnight if whites were
incarcerated for drugs at the same rate as minorities ("Fix sentencing
guidelines," Dec. 16).

It's worth noting that tobacco use has declined considerably in
recent years. Public education efforts are paying off. Apparently
mandatory minimum prison sentences, civil asset forfeiture, random
drug testing and racial profiling are not necessarily the most
cost-effective means of discouraging unhealthy choices.

Robert Sharpe, of Washington, is a policy analyst with Common
Sense for Drug Policy.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin