Pubdate: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2008 The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/submissionform.htm Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n612/a09.html Author: Raymond Givens DRUG WAR IS A WASTE Regarding "New Drug Dogs Earn Their Collars" (Metro, June 23): Bragging about throwing more people into prison for nonviolent "drug crimes" is especially disgusting considering the fact that the United States has become the world leader in incarceration because of our drug crusade. Using police dogs reminds me of how Nazi SS troopers used German shepherds to hunt down Jews and many others. Tampa drug warriors should be ashamed. First, for trying to punish a crime where there is no injury. Second, for pretending they are doing the world a service when America's drug war is an utterly counterproductive policy that causes more crime, disease and death than any criminal conspiracy by itself could ever accomplish. Raymond Givens, St. Petersburg - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake