DRUG CRIMES NOT VICTIMLESS

Ron du Bois' letter published Nov. 26 establishes a new low for his
disregard for facts. The gentleman in Logan County was not killed because
he possessed marijuana, he was killed because he picked up a loaded rifle,
pointed it at a police officer and disregarded commands to drop the weapon.
I am curious if du Bois would show the same remorse about the loss of life
if it had been a police officer killed.

Du Bois wrote raids on meth labs are the "consequence of prohibition" and
the end of "controls and regulation would greatly reduce the harm." Nothing
could be further from the truth. The addictive effects of methamphetamine
will remain the same whether it remains illegal.

I have been a police officer in Stillwater for nearly 17 years and have
observed hundreds of people arrested for drug-related offenses. Virtually
everyone arrested for a drug offense is also charged with other crimes. The
few arrested for simple possession typically pay a fine and go on with
their lives. Simple possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor; it is
impossible to be sent to prison for marijuana possession.

Drug offenses are not the victimless. The sooner du Bois can accept that
fact, the better.