Pubdate: Mon, 14 May 2007
Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL)
Copyright: 2007 The Palm Beach Post
Contact:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333
Note: Does not publish letters from writers outside area
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n556/a04.html
Author: Aaron M. Clemens

DRUGS BAD, BUT HARASSING PEOPLE OF COLOR IS WORSE

I am thankful that Palm Beach County Court Judge Barry Cohen had the 
courage to speak out about drug-war failures, "Judge questions police 
methods, effectiveness of drug war" (May 4). Judge Cohen sees the 
real fear that many black citizens have about getting pulled over for 
"driving while black." This fear should not exist in our society, 
regardless of how bad an idea it is for people to abuse drugs.

But the drug war does not only lead to police harassing people of 
color. The drug war has caused preventable deaths of many innocents.

The drug war must end before more innocent people are killed and 
harassed. People will smoke pot regardless of the law. Marijuana 
should be treated like alcohol and taxed; drug prohibition has failed 
even more miserably than alcohol prohibition.

Aaron M. Clemens

West Palm Beach
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman