Pubdate: Sun, 25 Jul 1999
Source: Hartford Courant (CT)
Copyright: 1999 The Hartford Courant
Contact:  http://www.courant.com/
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Author: Michael J. Gogulski

A CASUALTY OF THE WAR ON DRUGS

The killing of Victoria Cooper by a North Branford police officer raises
serious questions [Page 1, July 14, "Cop Shot Woman Through Car's Side
Window"].

The whole story has yet to be told because the likely-to-be-slanted police
investigation has yet to be completed.

It seems plain from the coverage so far, though, that the shooting would
never have taken place were it not for drug prohibition.  The police say
that Cooper's boyfriend had drugs on him in the car.

Possession of any amount of drugs is no justification for two gunshots, one
fatal.

How many more "beneficiaries" of our sanctified war on some drugs will be
killed by police before we come to our senses?

Michael J. Gogulski, Hamden

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