Pubdate: Wed, 10 Apr 2013
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2013 East Valley Tribune.
Contact: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/opinion/submit_a_letter/
Website: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Kirk Muse

LETTER: IS THE WAR ON DRUGS A WAR ON LOGIC?

Once upon a time there was no drug-related crime in the United States.
Every day people could purchase all the heroin, cocaine, marijuana or
morphine they wanted at the corner grocery store for pennies per dose
with no questions asked.

Back then we had 1.3 percent of our adult citizens addicted to
drugs.

Because of that the U.S. Congress passed the Harrison Narcotics Act of
1914. Because of that drug addiction went from being a health problem
to becoming a criminal justice problem. And because of that our
overall crime rate soared.

And in 1970 we still had a drug addiction rate of 1.3 percent. Because
of that Congress passed the Narcotics Control Act of 1971. Because of
that the United States became the most incarcerated nation in history
with 2.3 million prisoners.

Today we still have 1.3 percent of our adults addicted to drugs. So
far, we have spent more than a trillion dollars attempting to nullify
the law of supply and demand. Should we throw another trillion dollars
down the drug war rat hole? Or do something different?

I strongly suggest that the readers Google or go to Youtube.com and
search for: "Retired police Captain demolishes the war on drugs."

Kirk Muse

Mesa
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