Pubdate: Mon, 19 Feb 2007
Source: Bradenton Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2007 Bradenton Herald
Contact:  http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n180/a12.html
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

'DANGEROUS PRECEDENT'

The financial incentives created by civil asset forfeiture laws 
create a dangerous precedent. Police can confiscate cars, cash and 
homes without bothering to charge owners with a crime. Vague 
allegations of drug trafficking don't justify turning protectors of 
the peace into financial predators. The drug war threatens the 
integrity of a country founded on the concept of limited government.

Police searches on public transit, drug-sniffing dogs in schools, and 
random drug testing have led to a loss of civil liberties, while 
failing miserably at preventing drug use. A majority of European 
Union countries have decriminalized marijuana. Despite marijuana 
prohibition, lifetime use of marijuana is higher in the United States 
than any European country.

The United States now has the highest incarceration rate in the 
world, in large part due to the war on some drugs. This is big 
government at its worst. It's not possible to wage a moralistic war 
against consensual vices unless privacy is completely eliminated, 
along with the Constitution. America can be a free country or a 
"drug-free" country, but not both.

The results of a comparative study of European and U.S. rates of drug 
use can be found at www.monitoringthe future.org/pubs/espad-pr.pdf.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman