Pubdate: Thu, 27 Dec 2012
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal, The (CA)
Copyright: 2012 The Ukiah Daily Journal
Contact: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/feedback
Website: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/581
Author: Robert Sagehorn

HOW ABOUT POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT?

To the Editor:

When Mendocino County sends a letter to the Federal Government 
demanding full legalization of marijuana, the Board of Supervisors 
should be the first to hand over the keys to our nation to the power 
of the Mexican Drug Cartels. Instead of waving the white flag of 
surrender on the supply side of the drug wars, like the BOS is 
suggesting, I would suggest an attack on the demand side of drug use.

What if the Mendocino County Sheriff put the asset seizure money in a 
fund for the school children that maintain a drug clean lifestyle. It 
would work like this: beginning in 2nd grade the school children 
could voluntarily agree to be drug tested at school on a weekly basis 
via hair samples taken from each participant. On Friday morning each 
child that participated and tested drug free would receive $50. So in 
one month each could receive $200, and over the course of a school 
year $1,800. From 2nd grade through 12th grade they could earn up to $20,000.

The participants in the program would be given community recognition, 
so that future employers and college universities would take notice 
of these individuals.

The idea of this program is to instill within the individual the 
benefits of a drug free lifestyle. Plus, they would see that the 
funds paying for this program are coming from the people who are 
having their assets taken from them, because they are involved in 
promoting a lifestyle of using drugs. Before the BOS sends a letter 
asking the Federal Government to surrender, and promote drug use 
(since this County sees itself as the main supply competition to the 
Mexican Drug Cartels); how about making an attack on the demand side 
of drug use, starting with our school children. Wouldn't this be an 
effective use of the asset seizure funds? Wouldn't Mendocino County 
being the first in the nation to start a program like this be better 
recognition and leadership, rather than handing the keys to the 
nation over to the Mexican Drug Cartels? Shame on the BOS and their 
letter of surrender. I hope it ends up in the Federal Government's 
trash, where it belongs.

Robert Sagehorn

Talmage
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom