On June 20, The Day published a guest commentary by Jim Spellman of Groton, "Stopping heroin at the source," which contended that "two appropriate recommendations have been offered to counter the heroin crisis - treat it as an epidemic and counter it as a village." Left unclear was who determined that these are the two appropriate recommendations in all of Connecticut. But, on his first point, I will agree that the heroin crisis in our state should be treated as an epidemic. [continues 501 words]
The latest bull to be released in the china shop is Plan Colombia, more than a billion dollars to be spent to embroil us in a civil war and to destroy peasants, crops and rain forest alike. The justification revolves around illegal drugs, in this case, the claim that we can "save our children" and somehow reduce the flow of illegal drugs by pushing growth into some other country, following a well-established pattern of failure as old as alcohol Prohibition. [continues 680 words]
I HAVE SERVED on the front lines of the war on drugs. I am reporting back that it is a failure. Last year I received a Navy achievement medal for my military service in the drug war. Last month I returned this medal to President Clinton to protest his proposed $1.7 billion special appropriation for Colombia. Under the guise of fighting drugs, this aid package will dramatically escalate U.S. military involvement in Colombia's civil war. Colombians are exhausted and dispirited after 40 years of civil strife. [continues 572 words]
I have served on the front lines of the war on drugs in Latin America. I am reporting back that it is a failure. Last year I received a Navy achievement medal for my military service in the drug war. Last month I returned this medal to President Clinton to protest his proposed $1.7 billion special appropriation for Colombia. Under the guise of fighting drugs, this aid package will dramatically escalate U.S. military involvement in Colombia's civil war. Colombians are exhausted and dispirited after 40 years of civil strife. In recent months Colombians by the millions have taken to the streets in huge national marches calling for peace. [continues 554 words]
