Pubdate: Fri, 18 Mar 2011
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2011 David Ferris
Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: David Ferris

MIXED MESSAGES

Re: "Cops behaving badly" (Editorial, March 11):

Ultimately, the problem is that police officers receive contradictory 
messages regarding enforcing laws against illegal drugs.

At their station houses, they're told to arrest the sellers. But in 
field, it's obvious that a significant number of people - the buyers 
- - don't want those laws enforced. A small number of officers will try 
to cash in on this contradiction. A larger - though still small - 
number of them will become cynical and trample on people's rights.

If we want to support our police and also have them behave 
responsibly, we should convey consistent messages. Because demand 
creates supply, the only consistent message about illegal drugs that 
actually will work long term is legalization, regulation, taxation 
and education.

David Ferris, San Francisco
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom