Pubdate: Mon, 07 Aug 2017 Source: Daily Courier (Prescott, AZ) Copyright: 2017 Prescott Newspapers, Inc. Contact: http://www.dcourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4036 Author: Kirk Muse OVERHAUL TIME Editor: Thanks for publishing Rita Shyrocka's outstanding letter: "Crisis is on government's shoulders" (7-19-17). I'd like to add that in 1972, when President Richard Nixon launched the war on drugs, the federal budget for the drug war was $101 million. Last year, the federal budget for the drug was over $25 billion - a 250-fold increase. In 1972, fewer than 5,000 Americans died from illegal drugs. Last year more than 50,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. In 1972, fewer than 400,000 Americans were in jail or prison for all crimes. Today the United States has more than 450,000 prisoners for just drug crimes. It seems to me that minor adjustments to our nationa's drug policies are not the answer - a major overhaul is required. Kirk Muse Mesa, Arizona - --- MAP posted-by: Matt