Monday, October 08, 2007

San Francisco Mayor Calls War On Some Drugs "A Total Failure"

KCBS, SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaimed the
nation's war on drugs a total failure and insisted the crime rate would
go down if the government spent money on treatment as opposed to jailing
people with drug problems. "If you want to get serious, if you want to
reduce crime by 70% in this country overnight, end this war on drugs,"
he told reporters at City Hall. "You want to get serious, seriously
serious about crime and violence end this war on drugs."

The mayor maintained local jails are overcrowded with people
incarcerated for drug offenses, taking up room that could be used to
hold more violent criminal offenders. He said violent criminals with
lengthy felony records are being turned loose, too often. . .

In a ten-minute tirade about the drug war's failure, Newsom told
reporters that most politicians - including those in his own party -
just don't have the guts to admit the obvious.

"It's laughable that anyone could look at themselves with a straight
face and say 'oh, we're really succeeding.' I mean it's comedy. And as I
say, shame on my party, the democratic party, because they don't have
the courage of their private thoughts, because we don't want to appear
weak on this topic," Newsom said.

The mayor said the 'politicizing' of the illegal drug use issue prevents
a discussion about real solutions to the drug epidemic. . .

The mayor insisted, however, that he wasn't calling for the legalization
of all drugs - just a recognition that the current approach isn't
working.

"I'm not saying (legalization). I'm saying get real about it," he
explained. "So what does that mean? Well, it means a lot of things. It
means this war on drugs is an abject failure."

http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_277214611.html

3 comments:

  1. From personal experance I can tell you that yes the jails are way over crowded. More importantly putting people in jail because of there drug addictions is one of the stupidest things thay can do. Its just as easy for them to get drugs in jail as it is for them to get it on the streets, if not easier. Seems unlikely to most Im sure, but this I know for a fact. As one of the addicts that has been tossed right into what our judicial system thinks there taking us out for our best intrest and the best intrest of our community is truely a waste of tax money. Why not start using the tax money on quality programs and counceling for the addicts? Another fact is, people end up getting deep into debt with those who are bringing in the drugs to to the jails, and heres where the trouble really starts, don't pay what you owe the violance starts, people getting jumped, stabbed with hand made objects, this often happens, and sometimes takes the lifes of the addict that shouldn't have been there in the first place (dropped right back into what our judicial system thinks there taking them out of) thay should have sent them into recovery home's of facilitys with licensed porfessionals,trained councelors to help the addict recover from their addictions, this giving them a chance to become a active and better part of their(our)society. Giving them a better chance to stay alive and live a better life.There is so much more I could add to this comment and very possibilly will at a later date.

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  2. Well, Kari, Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comment. From one experienced in the ways of drug user persecution, prosecution and incarceration, your input is very much appreciated, and I agree with your assertions completely.

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  3. This is somethink I can give my ppenion on, to those that a stupid to the real facts. Im not proud that I am personaly informed on this subject. Fact is maybe had I gotten the help I needed first off, I wouldn't be where I am. But on the other hand my awarness and first hand experance on the subjuct might make a differanc somewhere, and hopefully save the life or lives of other addicts. LETS FIGHT THIS WAR OF ADDICTION.

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