Pubdate: Wed, 18 Apr 2012
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Laurel Gord
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n220/a02.html

DRUGS AND THE COST OF WAR

Thank you for pointing out the destruction attributable to the 
never-ending U.S.-led war on drugs. With about 50,000 dead in Mexico 
alone, the use of the word "war" is clearly not just metaphorical.

What is missing in the editorial is the war that has been waged 
against our own citizens of color. It is well established that 
marijuana use is pretty equal across race lines, yet African 
Americans are arrested at much higher rates for marijuana-related crimes.

Surely a first step in addressing this issue must be to acknowledge 
that this war has gone terribly wrong, has caused unspeakable damage 
both at home and abroad, and that we have absolutely nothing even 
approaching a victory to show for it.

Laurel Gord

Venice
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom