Pubdate: Wed, 04 Sep 2002
Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX)
Copyright: 2002 The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Contact:  http://www.lubbockonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/841
Author: Cindy Beesinger

DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUGS

Re: The letter "Clandestine Meth Labs" (A-J, 8-28).

What law enforcement needs is not specialized training on how investigators 
can make methamphetamine lab bust methods safer. What law enforcement needs 
is for the decriminalization of methamphetamine and other drugs considered 
illegal.

The lure of money from manufacture, or sales, is so powerful. (Especially 
with the 18- to 25-year-olds who, in my opinion, are the largest group 
associated with manufacture).

I believe the "war on drugs" raises the price of illegal drugs by 17,000 
percent (no exaggeration). It supports the multi-million- dollar-a-year 
prison industry by supplying it with non-violent drug users (instead of 
offering less expensive drug treatment and counseling).

The "war on drugs" is the true evil facing our law enforcement and society. 
It takes focus from law enforcement protecting society. If as much 
exuberance and money for training courses were spent on crimes like child 
sex offenders, robbery, rape, assault, murder, etc., as is spent on drug 
crimes, America would have a lot less criminal activity, in my opinion.

Prohibition on alcohol created more crim inals than legalized alcohol. And 
drug prohibition is creating the same if not worse.

Many European countries have proven that regulation and decriminalization 
of drugs, along with education, have lowered crime rates as well as drug 
use. So let us follow their lead, and let our law enforcement receive 
specialized training in violent crimes. And keep our society safe from 
violent criminals.

CINDY BEESINGER

Lubbock Via e-mail 
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MAP posted-by: Beth