Pubdate: Thu, 19 Apr 2007
Source: Guardian, The (U of CA, San Diego, CA Edu)
Copyright: 2007 UCSD Guardian.
Contact:  http://www.ucsdguardian.org/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2776
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n474/a02.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2776
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?219 (Students for Sensible Drug Policy)

GOVERNMENT MISPLACES VALUES IN WAR ON DRUGS

Dear Editor,

Regarding Dave Johnston's April 12 column:

Alcohol kills more people each year than all illegal drugs combined. 
Prescription overdose deaths are now second only to motor-vehicle 
crashes as a cause of death from unintentional injury. Television is 
filled with sophisticated pro-drug messages paid for by alcohol and 
pharmaceutical companies. The Bush administration doesn't have a 
problem with corporate drug pushers. But hoist a "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" 
banner at an off-campus high school rally in Alaska, and they will 
fight you all the way to the Supreme Court. It is not clear how this 
nonsensical phrase somehow merits limiting free speech.

Culture warriors in the White House seem to think the war on pot is 
more important than the Constitution. It doesn't stop there. By 
raiding voter-approved medical marijuana providers in California, the 
very same Bush administration that claims illicit drug use funds 
terrorism is forcing cancer and AIDS patients into the hands of street dealers.

So it's not just the Constitution that is expendable. Apparently 
marijuana prohibition is more important than protecting the country 
from terrorism. Students who want to help end the intergenerational 
culture war otherwise known as the war on some drugs should contact 
Students for Sensible Drug Policy at www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com.

- - Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst,

Common Sense for Drug Policy 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman