THE problems resulting from the enforcement of our punitive drug laws are becoming more unbearable every day. My concern is the effect drug laws are having on the quality of life in California, my city and my neighborhood. I am an 84-year-old chemist and I am not an illicit drug user. Crime and violence plague our cities. Civil rights of citizens are violated. Prisons are exploding and lives wasted. Meanwhile, the ever-increasing cost of the drug war robs funds sorely needed for useful programs. This is one budget item where growth is assured because powerful interests benefit. [continues 406 words]
AFTER 25 years of an oppressive, costly and yet ineffective drug war, the election in 1993 of President Clinton -- who grew up in the '60s -- held out hope that a humane drug policy would emerge. But now it appears that change will occur only when the people come to a consensus that it's time to try something else. Such a consensus appears to be developing. Associated Press (Feb. 8) broke the news that the Clinton administration is announcing a five-part plan to cut the nation's drug problem in half by 2007. The president's optimistic message, however, is not convincing, considering the sad history of expensive federal drug programs and the reactionary mentality of his drug policy director, Barry McCaffrey. [continues 560 words]
