Pubdate:  Tue, 25 Aug 1998
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Section: Sec. 1, p. 12
Contact:  http://chicago.tribune.com
Author: Redford Givens

AGING DRUG LAWS

SAN FRANCISCO -- It is tragic that another life has been wasted enforcing
drug prohibition laws. If it were not for an insane drug policy that
deliberately turns the illicit drug market over to hardened criminals,
officer Michael Ceriale would still be alive.

It should be noted that Ceriale's death was not caused by drug users but
came at the hands of outlaw dealers protecting their profits. When addicts
could buy all of the heroin, morphine, cocaine, opium and any other drug
they wanted cheaply and legally at the corner drug store, no one was
robbing and murdering over drugs. All of that came after drug prohibition
laws went on the books.

We've filled our prisons with drug users to the point where we have the
highest incarceration rate on earth. Result: Heroin and cocaine are now
cheaper, purer and more widely available than when we began.

The notion that law enforcement is having any effect on drug use evaporates
when we hear the drug czar lamenting 8th grade heroin addicts.

Repealing our drug laws and regulating drugs for adult use will end the
"drug problems" brought on by an insane drug policy that rewards criminals
with hundreds of billions in tax-free income.

Redford Givens

- ---