cannabisnews.com: DrugSense FOCUS Alert #156 January 24, 2000 





DrugSense FOCUS Alert #156 January 24, 2000 
Posted by FoM on January 24, 2000 at 17:21:43 PT
Arizona Republic Catalogs Failures Of Drug War 
Source: DrugSense
The Arizona Republic featured more than a dozen articles on the drug war last week. The series started off with an unavoidable premise: The drug war has failed.In the introduction to the series, reporters get to the heart of the matter. "The truth is inescapable: The fight against narcotics, which costs Americans nearly $18 billion a year, is the nation's most failed police action since Vietnam." 
Make Writing At Least One Letter a Week Your Commitment to ReformTogether we ARE making a difference Throughout the week, the series demonstrated how astonishing profits help the drug war to corrupt society at many levels. Links to all the articles are available below. Unfortunately, the series stopped short of supporting a real solution to the problems, and advocates of serious reform were offered very little space to air their views. Instead, the wishy-washy implication of the series conclusion is that more access to treatment and the use of drug courts will help solve the problem. While that may be better than no changes at all, the series demonstrated repeatedly how black market money is as big a lure as drugs themselves for some who get tangled up in that world.Please write a letter to the Arizona Republic thanking the paper for reporting the failures of the drug war, but also to remind that more than a little tweaking is needed. It's time for a complete overhaul. Thanks for your effort and support. WRITE A LETTER TODAY!It's not what others do it's what YOU do PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF YOUR LETTER OR TELL US WHAT YOU DID: (Letter, Phone, fax etc.)Please post a copy your letter or report your action to the sent letter list (sentlet mapinc.org) if you are subscribed, or by E-mailing a copy directly to MGreer mapinc.org Your letter will then be forwarded to the list with so others can learn from your efforts and be motivated to follow suit This is VERY IMPORTANT as it is the only way we have of gauging our impact and effectiveness.CONTACT INFO:Source: Arizona Republic (AZ) Contact: Opinions pni.com ARTICLE:URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00.n103.a01.htmlPubdate: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 Source: Arizona Republic (AZ) Copyright: 2000 The Arizona Republic Contact: Opinions pni.com Address: 200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 Website: http://www.azcentral.com/news/ THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC'S A LOSING DRUG WAR SERIES INDEX About this series:During a seven-month investigation, Arizona Republic reporters spoke to dozens of drug officers, smugglers, counselors and residents on the Mexican border. The conclusion: We're losing the war on drugs. Day 1: Sunday, 16 Jan 2000Introduction: A Losing Drug War http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n061/a08.htmlA Lost Cause?Questions Trump Answers In War On Drugs: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n062/a04.html More People, More Technology, More Danger: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n062/a03.html Day 2: Monday, 17 Jan 2000The Drug Pipeline:State Is Pipeline For Illegal Drugs: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n064/a07.html Eyes From Above Help In Flight: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n099/a01.html U.S. Customs Official Lives For The Thrill Of The Chase: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n068/a06.htmlDay 3: Tuesday, 18 Jan 2000Traffickers' Tricks:A Contest Of Wits At US Border: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n071/a03.html Smugglers Often Betray Themselves: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n099/a02.html Day 4: Wednesday, 19 Jan 2000Old-Time Methods:Old-Time Methods Have Place In Fight: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n095/a01.html Narcs Lie In Wait, Watching The Night For 'Contrabandistas' http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n095/a02.htmlDrug War Lost, Tucson Attorney Says: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n101/a01.html Day 5: Thursday, 20 Jan 2000Two Go Bad:Chance Led To Side Job As Arizona Drug Runner: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n099/a04.html Day 6: Friday, 21 Jan 2000Phoenix Sting:One Phoenix Sting Paid Off For Cops: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n093/a01.html Day 7: Saturday, 22 Jan 2000Rehab:Aid Money Targets Certain Demographic Groups: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n098/a10.html Everything's Different: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n095/a08.html Day 8: Sunday, 23 Jan 2000Conclusion: Solutions:Putting Years Of Drug Use Behind, With Help: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n102/a02.html Rebuilding Broken Families: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n101/a06.html SAMPLE LETTER (sent)To the Editor of the Arizona Republic: I applaud the Arizona Republic for exposing the failure of the war on drugs in its week long series. It is well past time to acknowledge not only that the drug war doesn't work, but that it causes more problems than it solves.That being said, I was very disappointed when I reached the conclusion of the series, which implied that more access to treatment and drug courts are going to improve the situation. While I agree those who think they need treatment should get it, there's a lot more going on here. To paraphrase a famous line about misconceptions: It's the black market economy, stupid.Pardon my rudeness, but the clues are glaring for those willing to see. One of the last stories, "Putting Years Of Drug Use Behind, With Help," seemed to suggest that drug courts saved a young drug dealer. But the dealer himself clearly explained why demand reduction is not a final solution. "I think I was more addicted to selling the drugs than to taking them," the young man confessed. Many more people (including the governor of the state directly to your east) are realizing that the drug war is beyond fixing, and that it's time for radical change. It's a shame your series did not give them more space to air their views. Putting another bandage on top of the corrosive disease of the drug war will only allow its damage to fester deeper in society.Stephen YoungIMPORTANT: Always include your address and telephone numberPlease note: If you choose to use this letter as a model please modify it at least somewhat so that the paper does not receive numerous copies of the same letter and so that the original author receives credit for his/her work. ADDITIONAL INFO to help you in your letter writing efforts3 Tips for Letter Writers: http://www.mapinc.org/3tips.htm Letter Writers Style Guide: http://www.mapinc.org/style.htm TO SUBSCRIBE, DONATE, VOLUNTEER TO HELP OR UPDATE YOUR EMAIL SEE: http://www.drugsense.org/hurry.htmTO UNSUBSCRIBE SEE: http://www.drugsense.org/unsub.htm Prepared by Stephen YoungFocus Alert Specialist http://home.att.net/~theyoungfamilyCannabis News Articles In The Series: Putting Years of Drug Use Behind, With Help - 1/23/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4440.shtml Rebuilding Broken Families - 1/23/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4439.shtmlAid Money Targets Certain Demographic Groups - 1/21/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4426.shtmlEverything's Different Overdose Changes Family - 1/22/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4425.shtmlOne Phoenix Sting Paid Off for Cops - Part 6 - 1/21/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4408.shtmlChance Led To Side Job as Arizona Drug Runner - 1/20/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4396.shtmlOld-Time Methods Have Place in Fight - 1/19/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4379.shtmlA Contest of Wits at U.S. Border - 1/18/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4365.shtmlState is Pipeline for Illegal Drugs - 1/17/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4352.shtmlA Losing Drug War - 1/16/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4337.shtml 
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