Pubdate: Wed, 22 Oct 2014
Source: MidWeek (HI)
Copyright: 2014 RFD Publications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.midweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/880
Author: Michael Parke
Page: 4

WRONG ON DRUGS

Bob Jones may not write silly columns, but he sure makes a habit of 
writing thoughtless ones. As usual, he uses ad hominem attacks 
followed by non sequiturs in trying to dismiss Froma Harrop's sound 
arguments for drug legalization and regulation.

First, he inexplicably calls her a liberal, then equates her 
arguments with libertarianism. Ms. Harrop correctly argues that the 
war on drugs has completely failed in its attempt to stop drug use 
and abuse. It has been spectacularly successful in creating a huge 
prison/legal/police/gang industrial complex, and is more responsible 
for the militarization of our "protect and serve" police forces than 
the 9/11 attacks.

Mr. Jones also ignores that Ms. Harrop makes clear that the violence 
and crime associated with the illegality of drugs creates much more 
societal harm than drug use itself. He completely misses her point 
regarding supply and demand for drugs, and conveniently forgets that 
alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs have been regulated 
successfully by the government for a long time.

Finally, he assumes that legalization will directly lead to greater 
drug availability and use, when a plethora of studies have shown 
exactly the opposite. How about some thoughtful thoughts rather than 
kneejerk thoughts for a change?

Michael Parke

East Honolulu
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