Pubdate: Tue, 31 Dec 2013 Source: Frederick News Post (MD) Copyright: 2013 Howard Wooldridge Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/Z0khz4CI Website: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/814 Author: Howard Wooldridge FAILED WAR ON DRUGS STILL BEING WAGED Writing as a retired detective, I think it is important that the readers know that all of these arrests for sale or possession were meaningless ("Deputies nab 27 on drug charges," Dec. 24). All arrested dealers are replaced within a matter of days. Worse, felony crime is higher than necessary because the addicts need to steal lots of money to support their addiction. Drug prohibition is supported by the Mexican drug cartels, Sheriff Chuck Jenkins and State's Attorney Charlie Smith. Why? Because they all benefit from the policy. My profession has wasted a trillion dollars on the war on drugs. Despite that money, drugs are cheaper, stronger and readily available to our kids. The next time a young teen is shot because he has the job option of selling illegal drugs, I hope Jenkins and Smith re-evaluate their support for prohibition. The cartels won't. Dead kids are replaced in a blink. HOWARD WOOLDRIDGE Adamstown - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D