Pubdate: Fri, 07 May 2010 Source: New Haven Register (CT) Copyright: 2010 New Haven Register Contact: http://www.nhregister.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/292 Author: Matthew Sweet 'DRUG WAR' HARMS U.S. While we continue to waste billions of dollars fighting a "war on drugs," this year about 10,000 people -- mainly lower class black men -- will die needlessly in the streets of America. Tens of thousands more will die in places such as Mexico and Colombia while attempting to meet the demand for drugs. America is the country with the largest percentage of its population in jail, yet the drugs remain. Even worse, we cannot even keep the drugs out of the prisons, never mind off the streets. People tend to blame parents, politicians, police and even teachers for the violence. Perhaps, the people to be blamed are those who want to keep drugs illegal. All the police and courts can do is send people to jail. However, a drug dealer is a disposable worker. No matter how many are arrested, the availability and demand for drugs will stay the same. Death on the corner or jail time are not decreasing the demand for drugs, and it does not make neighborhoods safer or save tax dollars. It is a lost cause. Each new generation sees the hypocrisy when looking back on Prohibition. It didn't work because it increased violence and did not stop consumption. The "war on drugs" has not deterred use, and has led to increases in murder and theft rates. The sense of community has been lost, also. No one talks to police because of the risk of retaliatory violence. Prohibition of alcohol created very similar communities of silence for the same reasons. History is repeating itself, and we are ignoring it. Matthew Sweet North Branford - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake