WAR ON DRUGS A DISMAL FAILURE

The Santa Maria Times has published numerous letters regarding gangs
in Santa Maria. Most of them are on target, but some blame the Police
Department for not doing more to suppress them.

When I worked for the Probation Department back in the 1970s and early
1980s, gangs were very different. The main difference is that the war
on drugs actually fueled gangs, as trafficking increased. Drug money
from U.S. residents is massive.

It is estimated that more than 250 drug gangs have moved in from Latin
America to establish pipelines from the drug source. Smaller local
gangs are also involved in illegal drug distribution.

The proliferation of gangs over the last four decades is a direct
result of President Nixon's declared war on drugs. The continuation
has proven this war as the biggest failed social experiment in
history. We cannot seem to end it the way prohibition of alcohol was
ended, when alcohol distributors were licensed.

As a nation, as well as locally, we allow ourselves to use legally two
powerful drugs -- alcohol and tobacco. Tobacco is as addictive as
cocaine or heroin, and it kills about a half-million citizens
annually. Why is the situation so convoluted where some drugs are
legal and others are not?

The prison industrial complex in California is swamping the state
budget. Locally, the county jail is perpetually overcrowded. More
locals are caught up every day using or trafficking in drugs.

In 1998, Cornell University reviewed inmate population nationwide and
determined that 80 percent of inmates had drug charges against them.
The nation lost the war in the planning phase, and now the U.S. is a
gangster nation.

A rational argument concludes that legalizing drugs will cut off a
central funding source for gangs.

Another idea was detailed by the Times about expanding after-school
programs. The money saved by not building prisons and releasing drug
users could easily fund after-school programs.

Programs could employ college students to come onto campuses to assist
students with homework, athletic programs or fine arts. A few teachers
could be paid overtime to assign and direct the college students.

Keeping youth occupied after school is a very good idea, because in
most families both parents work. Single parents are in that bind, and
all of the children become latchkey kids when no one is at home after
school. Young people need lots of structure and adults watching them.

The goal of our community and country should be to end the war on
drugs and spend the money locally for engaging our youth and keeping
them off of the streets.

Every youth wants to belong to something, but without clear direction,
they end up connecting with people who have criminal motives. Being
recruited into a gang is similar to substitute family.

Young people need to have a sense of belonging to a group. If all the
young people were in after-school programs, then more youth would have
a sense of community. We do not need youth hanging out on street
corners without any purpose.

People will use substances, whether or not it is legal. We have built
too many myths about drugs that are not true. A sound bite like
"gateway drug" is political blather. That is similar to saying
drinking a beer leads to alcoholism.

We have to tune out the nonsensical propaganda and get real about our
society. We have to change direction and let those who use drugs other
than tobacco or alcohol be allowed to do so. We must end our gangster
nation.

James Murr