DRUG CAMPAIGNS HIDE MOTIVES

The Press editorial board saw fit to side with the Drug Policy
Alliance's support for medical marijuana and penalty reduction for
drug users. ("Time to snuff out reefer madness," June 2, and "Let
the judges decide," May 31.)

If the newspaper had done its homework, it would find these efforts
are part of a nationally organized campaign. The Drug Policy
Alliance's Web site makes it clear these initiatives are a smoke
screen for an agenda to legalize all illegal drugs. These groups
have worked to legalize global trade and the use of all illegal
drugs for more than 20 years.

The alliance's medical marijuana campaign exploits people's natures
to help others but distorts medical research or manufactures bogus
research to reach their ends of getting bills passed.

I doubt if any of us could find a neighbor or family member who has
not been affected by the drug war. While we would hope no child
starts using any type of drug, it is up to responsible adults,
educators, law enforcement and public officials to ensure youth and
adults live in a way that does not endanger themselves or the public.

Judges do not send first-time offenders to jail. They rely on
pretrial intervention or treatment to give offenders "blinders,"
like on a horse, in the hope it will narrow their focus to better,
long-term self-interest.

Hard-core offenders involved in other anti-social and criminal
activity must be controlled. International drug cartels threaten to
take over countries such as Mexico and the institutions that launder money.

Who would still support it knowing the real goal is to put their
"foot in the door" to ultimately legalize all drug use?

Bruce Todd

WARETOWN