Pubdate: Fri, 02 Apr 2004
Source: Bakersfield Californian, The (CA)
Copyright: 2004, The Bakersfield Californian
Contact:  http://www.bakersfield.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/36
Author: Barbara Gibbs

WAR ON DRUGS WRONG

To put Bryanna Jagels in jail for trying to get the prescription drug that
she is addicted to is just another obvious example that the war on drugs is
misguided. We wouldn't have even considered putting Betty Ford in jail if
she took a drink right after she spent two weeks in rehab. Why is one drug
worse than another?

Our government is out of control. We were promised less government but given
more. The actor Tommy Chung is being held in prison for selling glass pipes.
It is mind-boggling.

We taxpayers are paying $45,000-plus per year to hold non-violent citizens
in prison, not including the millions of dollars to arrest and try them.
Yes, we are even paying for the lawyers. And all this when our country is at
war and our kids are dying.

We hold more citizens in prison than any other country. Canadians say we are
no longer the land of the free, but now we are the land of the pee (test).

I am hoping in the next election we will get leaders that will change this
misguided system.

- -- BARBARA GIBBS, Bakersfield
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MAP posted-by: Josh