Pubdate: Wed, 25 Aug 1999
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 1999 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://www.seattletimes.com/
Author:  Kris Nyrop
Note: Kris Nyrop is Executive director of Street Outreach Services, Seattle

WHY DO RICH, WHITE DRUG USERS GET A FREE RIDE WHILE POOR KIDS BECOME
DRUG-WAR VICTIMS?

So riddle me this. Why is it when rich white kids - who go to fine schools
and grow up to be staunch Republicans and proponents of the war on drugs -
are discovered to have used drugs, it's passed off as "youthful
indiscretion." Yet, when poor kids from the inner city use drugs, they're
expected to go directly to jail - for life if need be?

George W. Bush, Newt Gingrich, Dan Quayle and their like are forgiven.
Those less fortunate and less well-endowed are incarcerated, made
permanently ineligible for student loans, barred from public housing for
life, and deemed unsuited for the type of employment enjoyed by those
hypocritically promoting the drug war.

We are not waging a war on drugs, we are waging a war on some people who
use some drugs.
Kris Nyrop, Executive director, Street Outreach Services,
Seattle

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