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Of late the Star Beacon has reported on several crimes that have the common theme of narcotics. Quick review: Explosion, fire death at Park Haven; headless bodies Mexico near U.S. border; bodies in burned-out car in Arizona from Mexican drug cartel; homicide in Madison by mother trying to raise cash to score drugs; grand jury true-bills, majority is narcotics; possession and manufacturing of illicit drugs; a very stupid robbery of cash quickly spent on drugs; thefts for drug money. Our society has a major problem and thus far has failed to examine alternate approaches.
We, the USA, have taken a human weakness of addiction, outlawed it, declared war upon it and labeled the addictive user-abuser as a criminal. We have locked up an excessive amount of our population to no avail; the drugs continue to flow in the prisons. The cost to keep a person in prison is part of our local and national debt, the police time, jail expense, court trail, public defenders. The addict spends time in illegal activity to obtain funds for drugs, usually theft and prostitution. Violence among dealers and users is horrific.
Dr. Joyce Elders, surgeon general, a very fine lady, was run out of Washington for suggesting making narcotics legal. Perhaps she was ahead of her time or failed to take heed of speaking in public what has been spoken in private.
Let’s be very clear. To legalize in my opinion, is not go to the corner store and purchase heroin; the legalizing of narcotics is within a clinical setting. The user registers and uses at the clinic, not on the street or even in his own home as not to encourage youth. Clean narcotics and controlled usage for those who have the addictive gene akin to alcoholism. This would stop the spread of AIDS via dirty needles. Certainly would put a dent in the drug cartels and low-life drug dealers. Stop criminalizing the weakness of addiction. Also a clinical setting could permit the study and treatment of addiction.
The counter argument is the cost; think it would be less cost than the trails and prisons. Also counter argument is why not supply the alcoholic free booze, a good point; but majority of alcoholics are functioning and able to hold employment, not all of course, but the narcotic user is normally non-functioning. Next counter-point is the high moral value, wishing it, praying it away, doesn’t work and what is the higher moral, to aid the addict or lock them up with no hope.
Thomas Broad
North Kingsville
World, nation, state
July 7, 2012 Letters to the editor: Thomas Broad
Drugs linked to crimes
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