Pubdate: Tue, 29 Nov 2005 Source: Western Front, The (Western Washington Univ., WA Edu) Copyright: 2005 The Western Front Contact: http://westernfront.wwu.edu/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/994 Author: Kirk Muse Note: Title by Newshawk Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n000/a405.html ALL 'DRUG-RELATED CRIME' IS PROHIBITION CAUSED I'm writing about: "Former police chief advocates legal drugs" (11-22-05). I'd like to add that many judges and prison wardens have said that 70 to 80 percent of all property crime and violent crime is "drug-related." Actually almost 100 percent of all so-called "drug-related crime" is caused by drug prohibition policies - not drugs. When Coca-Cola contained cocaine instead of caffeine and sold for 5 cents a bottle, the term "drug-related crime" didn't exist. Neither did drug lords, drug cartels or even drug dealers as we know them today. Many currently employed in law enforcement are opposed to the idea of re-legalizing any recreational drugs. That's because if drugs were re-legalized, we would need far fewer law enforcement personnel, far fewer prison guards and no prison builders. Therefore, many now employed in law enforcement and the prison industry would be looking for a job or washing cars for a living. Of course, those opposed to re-legalizing drugs because it would affect their livelihood will not say so. Instead they will cite noble reasons such as protecting the children. As if the current policies are protecting children from drugs. Kirk Muse Mesa, AZ - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake