Emptying our prisons (2)

Dear Editor

Letter writer Scott White is definitely on the right track. Current public drug policy in both your country and mine brands anyone caught with an illegal substance as a ‘drug-abuser’. This is as flawed logically as arresting all alcohol users and defining them as alcoholics. When our local jails and prison systems are clogged by court convicted casual users, overcrowding is inevitable.

Additionally, current policies mandate that even casual users and sellers of illicit drugs – most notably marijuana – be thrust into the criminal justice system. This uselessly ties up millions of tax dollars in a supposed attempt to reduce the use of certain drugs. In fact, we’ve learned such an approach will never significantly reduce use.

The obvious solution is to end drug prohibition and legalize drugs for adults who use them responsibly, just as we do with the risky drug alcohol. Those who exploit this freedom and allow access to minors or drive automobiles while impaired, should feel the full weight of the law against them. Those who are otherwise law-abiding, productive, tax-paying citizens should be left alone.

Stephen Heath
Public Relations Director
Drug Policy Forum of Florida
Clearwater FL USA

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Fri, 29 Jul 2005
Source: Territory Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 Territory Times
Contact: territorytimes@iprimus.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3848
Author: Stephen Heath

This letter is in response to Scott’s 22nd July letter “Emptying our prisons”, published in the Territory Times.