Pubdate: Thu, 22 July 1999
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 1999 The Capital Times
Contact:  http://www.thecapitaltimes.com/
Author: Gary Storck

ELECT PRESIDENT, CONGRESS SMART ABOUT WAR ON DRUGS

In recent weeks, honest appraisals of the failure of the so-called war on
drugs have been appearing in some surprising places across the nation.

New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, a Republican, called for honest talk about the
war on drugs. Calling it a miserable failure, he suggested decriminalization
of some drugs should be part of the discussion. He later said his email was
running 10-1 in favor of his stance.

The Salt Lake Tribune editorialized: "Even when a war is being lost and a
reasonable leader decides it is time to make peace, there are others who
will continue to prosecute it, either because they are too dull to know
their cause is doomed or because they are too vain to admit failure. Such is
America's war on drugs."

Next year we must elect a president and Congress that will pursue rational
drug policies that bring home the prisoners and dismantle the police state
apparatus that has unjustly demonized and targeted so many peaceful citizens.

Gary Storck Madison, WI

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