Contact Info for The Seattle Times:
Seattle Times,1120 John Street,Seattle, WA 981095321
OpEd opinion@seatimes.com
FAX: SEATTLE TIMES SEATTLE WA 12063826760;

Anyone naive enough to believe that the almost complete
corruption of police departments by drug cartels is limited
to Mexico simply does not understand the widespread police
corruption in the U.S. that occurred during alcohol
prohibition, and its deja vu reappearance resulting from
our incredibly wasteful " war against drugs. " Virtually
every day we read about one police department or another
ruined by cops on the take. The simplistic idea that
raising police salaries will immunize police against such
temptation entirely ignores human nature: Drug cartels are
able to pay individual officers thousands of dollars a week
to ensure their cooperation. The " war on drugs" is
little more than a fullemployment program for otherwise
honest police and judges, and a godsend for those already
corrupted by huge bribes.

What has been the result of this wasteful expenditure of
billions of taxpayers' dollars? Eric Sterling, of the
Criminal Justice Policy Foundation reports:

Cocaine supplies and consumption are undiminished over
the last dozen years. Heroin addicts have increased by 20
percent and teenage marijuana use is steadily climbing.

Advocates of the current misguided policy, mainly police
supporters, prison construction companies, and wellmeaning
rightwing zealots, will respond that if we only spent
more, and imprisoned more users and dealers, we would "win"
the war. What logic makes these advocates believe that long
failed multibilliondollar policies will suddenly work? The
same logic that supported the Vietnam War, and myriad
liberal welfare programs that created our huge underclass
with its millions of lazy takers.

Throwing good money after bad, as we continue to do in
the failed " war against drugs, " not only wastes vast
billions of taxpayers' money, but also corrupts our police
agencies. The facts are there. Watch now for the indignant
letters from those who financially benefit from these
failed programs, or itch to lock people up for consensual
adult behavior on private property.

The solution? Strict and harsh laws for those who
distribute such drugs to minors, but otherwise regard adult
drug use as solely a medical issue between doctor and
patient.

Allen E. Wiesen Bellevue