WE ARE WINNING

The Justice Department just reported that in 1999 more than 30,000
people were charged with federal drug offenses, 91 percent of which
were convicted with trafficking and only 4 percent convicted of
possession. The 30,000 was more than double of those convicted 15
years ago. That dispels the misinformation that most citizens hear -
that most people are convicted of possession. I applaud the efforts
of law enforcement at all levels - they are the frontline in the war
that we are winning.

Recently, the Metro Gang Task Force arrested members of the Crips
gang who were charged with the murder of Sherman Banks and they
seized 40 weapons and shut down a $1 million a week drug enterprise.
The front business was located in east Denver where the murder
occurred. The task force was unjustly criticized because officers
were nearby. The officers place their lives on the line for us and
they did not kill Banks - Mark Greene and his partners did that.
Banks was one of 50,000 people killed each year in the drug war.

First, the people of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws) and others who advocate the legalization of marijuana
and other drugs, please tell me again how the use of drugs is
harmless? Remember, one of the weapons confiscated was a functional,
full-automatic M-60 machine gun with an effective range of 1100
meters and is capable of firing 7.62 rounds at the rate of 500-600
per minute. The Crips even had a grenade launcher. When I was in
military I had to qualify with these weapons and others; I know the
destruction they can cause.

Second, if you are involved in drug use, quit now, your money is
going directly to dealers so they can finance weapons and their
empires.

Clifton Powell
Westminster