OLD VS. NEW

According to Abigail Trafford, Washington Post staff writer, the film
"Traffic" certainly got all the parts of the drug-trafficking world right.
To sit through the movie - the violence, death, corruption and sorrow - is
to get an education in how the nation's war on drugs has failed. "Traffic"
has changed the debate on drugs. No one is talking about simple answers in
the old-style, polarized lock 'em up vs. treat 'em. The movie makes it
clear both sides - the law enforcement and the treatment side - need an
overhaul. With the upcoming race for D.A., it is clear the incumbent is
running an old-style lock 'em up and throw away the key campaign. He is
content to continue the current failed policy of incarcerating all users of
"some drugs" in the vain belief that if we incarcerate enough people, the
war will be won. It is equally clear that a vote for Steve Holcombe is a
vote for reflection on the nation's drug laws, that some consideration will
be given to the idea that the war on drugs is a war on us . the destruction
of the lives of non-violent offenders and the bankrupting of the state's
resources.

Deanna Homer,

Stillwater