EDUCATION THE BEST WAY TO FIGHT DRUGS

As a recovered abuser of cocaine, alcohol and methamphetamine (clean
11 years), I wanted to echo the smart thinking of letter-writer Connie Kraft.

Several decades of accumulated data prove that arresting and jailing
drug abusers does nothing long term to solve society's very real
problems with substance abuses.

Despite this, federal and state drug policy related budgets continue
to emphasize turning Americans with a drug problem into Americans
with a lifetime criminal record.

Such a record, especially when it is a felony, assures a lifetime
albatross bearing down the life of the now abuser with far more
weight than the damage caused by the use of the drug(s) themselves.

I was fortunate to never be arrested on illegal drug charges, despite
over a decade of active usage.

We need more education and treatment on demand. And these services
should be available to any American who asks for it, regardless of
the drug of abuse: cocaine, meth, opiates, alcohol or nicotine.

It is possible to overcome a drug addiction. For many Americans,
especially those Americans of minority-race status, it is almost
impossible to ever overcome a felony conviction.

As a society, we pay immeasurable amounts for the failed policies of
21st century prohibition.

Educate. Don't incarcerate.

Stephen Heath, public relations director

Drug Policy Forum of Florida

Clearwater, Fla.