EFFECT OF DRUG POLICIES FILLS OUR JAILS

While Washington and many other states are trying to figure out how to
close their massive budget shortfalls, the Dutch are trying to figure
out what to do with their closed prisons. While the Netherlands has a
population of about 16.5 million, it has only about 12,000 prisoners.
On the other hand, the United States has more than 2,300,000
prisoners. If my math is correct, the U. S. has 18.2 fold the Dutch
general population and 191.6 fold their prison population. Why the
disparity?

I suggest it's our drug policies.

In the Netherlands, adults can use, buy and possess small amounts of
marijuana without criminal sanctions. In the U.S., adults are subject
to arrest, jail or prison for buying, selling or possessing various
amounts of marijuana.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.