Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jun 2009
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2009 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n621/a07.html
Author: Howard J. Wooldridge

POLICY NOT WORKING

Regarding "Group seeks drug legalization in Oklahoma" (news feature, 
June 15): From my perspective of 18 years a police officer (now 
retired), I know that drug prohibition decreases public safety and 
increases crime. As a detective, 70 percent of my felony caseload was 
associated with drug prohibition. Legal cocaine that would cost $2 to 
$3 per day for an addict now costs $200 a day.

Thus, an addict must break into your home or steal your car or 
identity to pay for it. When a drug dealer shoots another dealer, the 
police have less time to find rapists. At the federal level, drug 
prohibition provides the majority of the money used by Islamic 
terrorists. Our modern form of prohibition is funding our mortal enemies.

Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs 
seems ready to go back to the days of alcohol prohibition. Great: a 
moonshine still next to every meth lab!

Howard Wooldridge, Dallas, Texas
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake