Pubdate: Thu, 10 Oct 2002
Source: Omaha World-Herald (NE)
Copyright: 2002 Omaha World-Herald Company
Contact:  http://www.omaha.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/320
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1885/a02.html
Author: Greg Adams
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

REAL-WORLD LAWS

Marv Dorsey (Oct. 6 Pulse) refers to Eric J. Andersen (Oct. 1 Pulse) as 
"misguided" and says he (Mr. Dorsey) has been anointed to "provide the real 
truth." Unfortunately, Mr. Dorsey appears to make statements designed to 
elicit emotional responses as opposed to presenting actual facts. Mr. 
Dorsey labels Holland's policies "ultra-liberal," which appears to indicate 
that only someone to the far left could support Andersen's ideas on 
legalization of drugs. This does not take into account why William F. 
Buckley Jr., a well-known conservative, says he would legalize marijuana 
immediately.

Finally, Mr. Andersen states that "we should shift our focus from law 
enforcement and incarceration to education and treatment," which, Mr. 
Dorsey says, insults law enforcement.

But law enforcement is made up of individuals who don't all agree. For 
example, long-time Sheriff Bill Masters of San Miguel County, Colo., said 
demand for drugs was key and added that the quasi-military strategy of 
attacking the drug supply has failed to stop the problem. Not only does he 
not sound insulted - he appears to agree with Mr. Andersen.

Laws should be judged according to their real-world results, not their 
desired benefits. There is a mountain of information on this subject, and 
each of us owes it to himself and his children to reach an informed opinion 
based on all the facts.

Greg Adams, Omaha
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