Pubdate: Mon, 26 Feb 2001
Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Austin American-Statesman
Contact:  P. O. Box 670 Austin, Texas  78767
Fax: 512-445-3679
Website: http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/today/
Author: KAREN HEIKKALA

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE

A headline in the Feb. 17 paper asks the question, "What went wrong?" 
regarding the tragic death of Sheriff Deputy Kevin Ruiz. The answer? It was 
one of the unintended consequences of a drug war that claims lives in its 
deadly pursuit of a war on people's choices. Even if it is not a right 
choice, does someone have to die because of it? We now have two Austin 
families who are suffering the loss of their sons, husbands, and fathers. 
What a terrible waste.

It is time to rethink the policies that have allowed this kind of thing to 
happen. Reducing the harm caused by drugs is worthy. But that quest would 
be better served by dealing with it in the medical and social realms of our 
society, not in the battering rams of narcotic forces.

KAREN HEIKKALA

Austin
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