Pubdate: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 Source: Seattle Times (WA) Copyright: 2005 The Seattle Times Company Contact: http://www.seattletimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409 Author: Eric Kormondy Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1901/a05.html TRACKS EVERYWHERE It is not the casual drug users who are causing the overcrowding in our prison system. It is the criminal acts that are directly related to the trafficking and procurement of drugs; not to mention the numerous offenses that are committed by persons under the influence of drugs. That number will not be reduced by Norm Stamper's program even if he plans on providing these drugs free of charge. The compulsive need for drugs is the driving force behind the street crimes, such as mugging or purse theft. Any burglary/robbery detective in America can connect the dots between those crimes and drug use. [Stamper's idea] is a dishonor to our brothers and sisters in law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day for the war on drugs. Too many good men and women on both sides of the border have given their lives to allow something like this to even be considered. We have not yet won the battle only because we lack the resolve and aggressiveness to win. Eric Kormondy, Seattle - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake