WHAT DO WE DO TO DRUG DEALERS?

First published in print: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 The Drug Policy
Alliance lacks credibility and its arguments don't stand the test of
reason ("Substance abuse is a health issue," letter, June 5). I have
for the last several years questioned this organization and the tenets
of its position.

I have never received an answer to this fundamental question: What is
the treatment for a drug dealer?

No one argues that a drug user should receive treatment and not
incarceration, not the cops, district attorneys, defense lawyers or
medical professionals. The question remains: What do we do with the
drug dealers, who are a drug addict's worst enemy, who prey on these
afflicted people and often use treatment centers as locations to
distribute their product? Yet, the Drug Policy Alliance continues to
support drug dealers, often stating that the so-called war on drugs is
a failure, because drugs are still being sold. Which begs to ask if we
should give up the war on murder, robbery and rape as these crimes are
still being committed as well?

I would rather call the war on drugs, simply, fighting crime. That's
what selling drugs is. Why would a group that allegedly advocates for
drug users also advocate for their worst enemy?

John Monte

Albany

The writer is an Albany detective.