Pubdate: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 Source: Baltimore Sun (MD) Copyright: 2013 The Baltimore Sun Company Contact: http://www.baltimoresun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37 Author: Brandon Levey Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n545/a11.html AMERICA'S FAILED DRUG POLICIES Commentator Scott Soffen was spot-on about the U.S.' failed drug policy ("It's time to end the war on drugs," Nov. 12). By any objective standard, our national drug policies have been an unmitigated disaster. The U.S. is spending tens of billions of dollars a year perpetuating the same failed policies that do not solve the drug problem but instead exacerbate it, all the while stigmatizing users and disproportionately affecting low-income communities. Sadly, there has not been nearly enough national leadership on this issue. Brandon Levey, Baltimore The writer is chief of staff for the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom