War on drugs
I just read the cops busted another x number of people for selling or using drugs. On and on it goes. Let's just face it, the "war on drugs" is lost. We should have known it was never going to work after the fiasco of prohibition. Nevertheless, we keep pouring billions of our money into trying to stop something that is unstoppable! (Not to mention the billions to incarcerate addicts, dealers, etc). Law enforcement gets so much money to fight this unending "war" they simply don't want to get rid of this cash cow.
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My solution? Believe it or not why not legalize every drug and restrict its use, the way it is now with alcohol. Your first thought probably is "we can't legalize heroin, crack, LSD, etc." But why not? We aren't stopping it one iota now. It's a proven fact that only a small percentage of people who use alcohol or drugs become dependent. There would not be any noticeable increase in use.
Just think, no more dealers, shoot outs, innocent people getting whacked on the head for their money, a drastic reduction in shoplifting and burglaries, well...you get the point. If we just put 5 percent of the money now spent (thrown away) trying to stop it we could give to anyone who needs or wants professional help (i.e., rehab) this assistance. About the only way to get good help now is to have insurance to cover some of the expense.
Of course this will never happen. Any politician who suggests such a plan wouldn't be a politician long. But then again people 100 years ago said women weren't capable of voting as it's a "man's game." Likewise, who would of thought a few short years ago gays would finally get some of the rights they deserve. Maybe there is hope!
James McCray
West Manchester Township
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