Pot times July 17, 2005
The War On Drugs Is History's Biggest Farce
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1128/a06.htmlNewshawk: www.ohiopatient.net
Pubdate: Sun, 17 Jul 2005 THE WAR ON DRUGS IS HISTORY'S BIGGEST FARCE
Source: Blade, The (Toledo, OH)
Copyright: 2005 The Blade
Contact:
letters@theblade.com
Website: http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Author: Jim White
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1128/a05.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm
(Incarceration)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm
(Methamphetamine)
The Blade's recent editorial supporting the restoration of funds to fight "meth"
is proof positive that the Blade is not paying attention. Time and time
again a "drug menace" of one form or another besets our country, and
every time we throw more money at the problem, make tougher laws and imprison
more people with the same results-more drugs and more people using them.
Law enforcement and incarceration is no way to control drugs. History has
proven that time and again. Wake up!
It is time for us to take an entirely different approach to drug use, an
approach designed to reduce demand, treat addiction and educate the public.
The "crack epidemic" of the 80's and 90's didn't go away because we
arrested our way out of it, it went away because people finally got wise to what
it was doing and use declined. The same will hold true for the "meth
epidemic." If people want amphetamines, prescribe them and monitor their
use. That alone would eliminate illegal labs and the inherent dangers
associated with them and it provides an opportunity to help addicts recover.
The war on drugs is the biggest farce in history and the fourth estate isn't
paying attention at all.
Jim White
