Mass Unemployment If The Drug War Was Ended.

[greenbuddha]

 

US SC: PUB LTE: Drug War Profits At Stake

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URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n089/a07.html

Newshawk: Jim

Votes: 0

Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2011

Source: Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC)

Copyright: 2011 Guy J. Vitetta

Contact:male2('letters','postandcourier.com'); letters@postandcourier.com

Website: http://www.charleston.net/

Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/567

Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n073/a01.html

Author: Guy J. Vitetta

 

<P class=clipping>DRUG WAR PROFITS AT STAKE

 

Thomas Ravenel's Feb. 5 commentary regarding legalizing drugs gives me grave concern. Legalization could severely impact the socio-economic fabric of our state. He asks, 'Has all that incarcerating ( of drug users ) helped?'

 

Yes! The Drug War 'industrial complex' is thriving.

 

South Carolina law enforcement agencies, criminal courts and prison systems are expanding. As a defense attorney, I fear legalization could reduce the number of employed prosecutors, public defenders and judges who handle drug cases. Judges and lawyers would come off government payrolls. I say, let's keep them in state and federal courts.

 

Drug legalization could devastate rural communities where prisons employ thousands. We need a steady source of convicted drug users as a stimulus for these communities. Otherwise, we better have a plan for out-of-work guards, prison builders, food service workers and administrators.

 

When non-violent drug offenders are convicted on felony charges, we don't have to compete with them for scholarships or jobs.

 

Maybe the money saved by rationally downsizing the Drug War industrial complex, could be diverted to drug addiction programs, re-training prison workers for 'green' or education jobs.

 

Money could be used for infrastructure instead of prisons.

 

The original goals of prohibition -- to reduce drug use, protect kids and reduce crime -- are no longer important.

 

The Drug War 'gravy train' may defy logic, but it sure is good for the economy.

 

Guy J. Vitetta

 

Attorney at Law

 

Seven Farms Drive

 

Daniel Island

MAP posted-by: Richard Lake

 

 

[bobandtorey]

[+EdwardGlen]

You end jails for profit and you'll see how quickly low level arrests stop like someone with a little cannabis.

 

Peace

 

We are ALL in this together

[AmishRnot4ganja]

There are lots of other things they could do. Prosecute white collar crime for instance? How about all the banking scams? I think that the public would no longer live in fear of the police. We could once again be friendly with our police force if we didn't have to fear that they were looking at us with dollar signs in their eyes. The police force could return to law enforcement instead of revenue generation.