203 SAYS 'YES' TO DRUGS

This is "Red Ribbon Week," which is sponsored by the National Family
Partnership and designed to help our children "Say No to Drugs."

This year's theme is "Freedom is Drug-Free - Plant the Promise." Isn't it
ironic that as our children are being encouraged to stand up and say "no"
to the influence of drugs, others in our community are encouraging the
decriminalization of marijuana, and the lessening of the punishments
connected to dangerous, hard-core drugs such as crack cocaine, heroin,
methamphetamine and PCP.

We in law enforcement oppose Proposition 203 because it is being falsely
marketed as a "medical marijuana" proposition helping the terminally ill.
In reality, it decriminalizes marijuana for everyone, even our children; it
reduces sanctions on those who use dangerous drugs; and takes away minimum
mandatory sentences for almost all dangerous drug convictions.

Proposition 203 requires that taxpayers' money be spent on having police
officers distribute free marijuana, without a prescription. The Arizona
Department of Public Safety will be required to fund the testing, packaging
and distribution.

The decriminalizing of marijuana and reducing the sanctions of those who
use dangerous drugs will have a negative impact on our communities. Please
look past the emotional commercials that portray this as a
medical-marijuana proposition and determine for yourself what is best for
Arizona.

Harold L. Hurtt, Phoenix

The writer is chief of police of Phoenix and a member of the Arizona Chiefs
of Police Association.