Pubdate: Sun, 04 Feb 2007
Source: News-Press (Fort Myers, FL)
Copyright: 2007 The News-Press
Contact:  http://www.news-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1133
Author: Tom Buehler
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DECRIMINALIZE DRUG USE

For 40 of my 65 years I've conducted an informal survey among law 
enforcement acquaintances including active or retired FBI agents, 
large and small town beat cops, detectives, etc.

I've asked over 25 of them just one question: "In your opinion, what 
percentage of violent crime in this country is narcotics-related?"

Not surprisingly, the lowest number I heard was 50 percent, the 
highest 90 percent, and the average well above 75 percent. Thus the 
solution to your escalating crime problem.

Why not decriminalize drugs?

Am I advocating drug use? Absolutely not, but the facts are clear 
that we have numerous users who will go to any lengths to get their fixes.

Prohibition seemed to spawn excessive violence and once repealed the 
problem dissipated.

Do we still have alcoholics? Of course and we'll still have drug 
users, but if the money is taken out of it, i.e., drug users pay a 
nominal amount for drugs, there will be no market for the stuff much 
to the chagrin of Colombia, Afghanistan and our local meth labs, etc.

Will this proposal ever fly? Probably not in my lifetime for the 
following reasons:

1. Politically it would be viewed as instant suicide with the 
opposition screaming that we're advocating more drug use. Likewise 
the solution is SIMPLE and that won't get you points in the public arena.

2. Law enforcement wouldn't want it, i.e., diminished crime means less jobs.

3. Religious conservatives wouldn't be happy, claiming that they can 
rid all people of drug and alcohol addictions which just ain't gonna happen.

The bottom line is we definitely aren't winning the war on drugs and 
the reason is there's just too much profit to be made.

If you posit that the average person doesn't want to be beholden to 
substances that are addictive, and posit that a small percentage of 
the population will always be drug users, this solution appears to be 
a practical and money saving idea.

Children born today in the more impoverished areas (especially boys) 
have three ways out. One is to be an elite athlete and maybe make it 
professionally (very long odds).

Two is to study hard in arguably inferior schools as a means of 
escape (not cool by today's standards).

Three is to follow the drug culture, i.e., big profits with big risks 
but definitely cool and exciting.

The problem with number three is obviously the slammer which far too 
many seem to end up in.

Tom Buehler

Fort Myers
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman