cannabisnews.com: Record of Bush Nominee Anchored in Losing Strategy Record of Bush Nominee Anchored in Losing Strategy Posted by FoM on April 30, 2001 at 07:55:58 PT Editorial Source: Detroit Free Press President George W. Bush has spoken often -- on the campaign trail and since taking office -- about the need to treat drug users and decrease the demand for drugs instead of always attacking the supply side. But his actions belie the promise of those words, that the United States would finally adopt more reasonable drug policies.Last week, Bush named John P. Walters as his new drug czar. As the top deputy in the drug office of the first Bush administration, Walters has experience and expertise in this area. But his philosophy is misguided. He earned his reputation by advocating aggressive, expensive military action against countries and cartels that bring illegal drugs into the United States. He strongly advocates mandatory minimum sentences that lock up low-level drug abusers for decades and even lifetimes for first offenses. He believes in the wide scale incarceration of young, poor drug abusers and dealers, and is extremely critical of drug treatment and rehabilitation programs."John Walters not only hates drug addictions, he hates drug addicts, and he certainly hates drug users who are not addicts," said Eric Sterling, president of Criminal Justice Policy Foundation in Washington, D.C. Sterling was the House Judiciary Committee's staff expert on drug policy from 1979 to 1989.Even Gen. Barry McCaffrey, drug czar under former President Bill Clinton, expressed serious concerns that Walters won't pay enough attention to drug treatment and prevention.Based on his record and rhetoric, Walters' approach to dealing with the drug crisis is wrong. Such tactics have contributed to the multibillion-dollar prison system, under which the United States locks up more of its own people than any other country in the world -- with little impact on drug use.When Walters goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee, members need to carefully review his record and pointedly question his willingness to take more forward-looking steps to stem the drug tide. If he's not, they should demand a more enlightened nominee.Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)Published: April 30, 2001Copyright: 2001 Detroit Free PressContact: letters freepress.comWebsite: http://www.freep.com/Related Articles:A Draco of Drugs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9548.shtmlTough Conservative Picked for Drug Czarhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9504.shtmlBush's New Drug Czar?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9418.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by Dan Hillman on April 30, 2001 at 18:39:53 PT Let's see... ...millions of people processed by the "justice" system, billions of dollars separated from them by means of fines or legal fees, tens of thousands of cops, judges and medical personnel making a handsome living doing the drug war's bidding, unquestioned billions spent every year to do more of the same....How exactly is this a "losing strategy" again? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Kevin Hebert on April 30, 2001 at 14:02:54 PT: My response to the Detroit Free Press Dear Editor:Thank you for your editorial "A Draco of Drugs" regarding John Walters. It expresses needed concern at the prospect of George W. Bush choosing yet another in a long line of hard-line Drug Czars. Today, the drug war is showing every sign of absolute failure. No policy that incarcerates millions of Americans without showing any real breakthroughin its ostensible goal -- reducing drug use, availability, and potency -- should be allowed to continue. And yet, the front-runner for the job of drug czar seems all too eager to continue the draconian punishments used for decades to little avail. I feel this strategy is doomed to backfire, as more and more Americans realize that it is the unregulated black market trade in drugs, couple with vengeful enforcement of current policies, that is the problem. Far more so than the actual drugs themselves. Sincerely, Kevin Hebert [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by dddd on April 30, 2001 at 08:17:11 PT just watch The senate hearings will end up approving this freak...noquestions asked....And there will be very little national mediacoverage......Like Bush and Ashcroft,Walters will be portrayedas balanced,and noble.He will pretend to be somewhat moderatein the senate hearings.Once he has secured the title of czar,hewill begin acting like one......Keep your eye on the spin and propagandathat will be employed to get this guy in there.......ddddisgusted!!!!!!!! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: