REP. FRANK DISCUSSES DRUG POLICY AT U.MASS-BOSTON

Current sentencing for drug possession and usage is too harsh and a waste
of taxpayer money, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) told a crowd of about
50 at the University of Massachusetts at Boston Wednesday.

"The policy is far too punitive with people who use drugs and do nothing
else wrong," Frank said. "Putting these people in prison is wrong. Although
[legalization] will help diminish some of the irrationality in the drug
policy, there's still a long way to go," Frank said. Frank feels the amount
of drugs and drug use in the United States cannot be reduced by physically
keeping drugs out of the country, due to the supply and demand nature of
the U.S. economy would not allow it, Frank said.

"The market is an enormously powerful force in a free society and people
with money are greatly determined to do what they want, he said."

According to Frank, the government's drug policies have been by-and-large
unsuccessful.

"I wish I could say there is a meaningful drug policy in this country, but
unfortunately my colleagues are happy with a non-rational policy," Frank said.

Frank's plan to rationalize the drug policy would provide improved drug
treatment programs in lieu of prison sentences for those convicted of
possession. He is also battling to legalize certain drugs; particularly
marijuana.

Critics believe legalization will lead to an increase in the number of
users and addicts, as well as an increase in crime. Frank believes
politicians fear accusations of supporting crime if they are soft on drug
policy.

"The current illegal drug situation causes crime," Frank said. "Statistics
show that thefts and murders rise because of drugs, just like during
Prohibition. So perhaps the best way to diminish crime is to make drugs
legally available."

Although unsure of whether drugs should be made readily available to the
public, Frank is in favor of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.

"People can get prescriptions for many drugs much more powerful and mind
altering than marijuana," Frank said.

The United States spends billions of dollars each year trying to keep drugs
out of the country -- in many cases using the military to enforce the
effect. Frank believes this policy is "crazy."

"You can't stop drugs from coming across the Mexican border if you can't
stop people from coming across," Frank said. "You would need millions of
people to guard the border, but then what about Canada?"

According to Frank, the current drug policy is also discriminatory.

A larger percentage of blacks and Hispanics are in prison for drug offenses
compared to the number of whites, Frank claims.