Pubdate: Thu, 13 Mar 2008
Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2008 News-Journal Corporation
Contact:  http://www.news-journalonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/700
Note: gives priority to local writers
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n253/a04.html
Author: Robert Sharpe

DRUG WAR/DRUG ABUSE

Re "Justice dungeon: 2.3 million behind bars in the 'land of the 
free,' " editorial, March 3:

Mandatory minimum prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenses have 
done little other than turn the alleged land of the free into the 
world's biggest jailer. If harsh penalties deterred illegal drug use, 
the goal of a "drug-free" America would have been achieved decades 
ago. Instead of adding to what is already the highest incarceration 
rate in the world, we should be funding drug treatment.

As a policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy, I believe the 
drug war cure is worse than the disease. Drug prohibition finances 
organized crime at home and terrorism abroad, which is then used to 
justify increased drug war spending. It's time to end this madness 
and instead treat all substance abuse as the public health problem it is.

Thanks to public education efforts, tobacco use has declined 
considerably in recent years. Apparently mandatory minimum sentences, 
civil asset forfeiture, random drug testing and racial profiling are 
not necessarily the most cost-effective means of discouraging 
unhealthy choices. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

ROBERT SHARPE, Arlington, Va.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom