Pubdate: Wed, 16 May 2001
Source: Northwest Florida Daily News (FL)
Copyright: 2001 Northwest Florida Daily News
Contact:  http://www.nwfdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/313
Author: Stephen Heath, Drug Policy Forum of Florida 
http://www.drugsense.org/dpffl/
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n820/a05.html (The Wrong Stuff)

BUSH'S BAD CHOICE

Re: "The wrong stuff" (Daily News editorial, May 8).

Your staff has astutely noted the problems associated with drug czar 
appointee John Walters.

Mr. Walters favors increased law enforcement and incarceration as a 
foundation for American drug policy.

However, it is reasonable to say that no matter how many pot smokers 
we imprison; no matter how many acres of South America we poison with 
chemical sprays; and regardless of how many planes we shoot out of 
the sky, not a single American suffering drug abuse problems is any 
closer to true recovery.

It's time to end the use of U.S. armed forces, the use of militarized 
police "elite" units and the use of prison cages in dealing with 
America's very real problems with drug abuse.

As your editorial notes, we would be far better off with a medical or 
social services professional in charge of American drug policy.

STEPHEN HEATH
Drug Policy Forum of Florida
Clearwater
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe