US law enforcement: Drug war a failure
Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:57PM
Marjan Asi, Press TV, Washington
A coalition of police officers, corrections officials and border patrol agents have condemned the Obama administration for its continuation of what they say is a failed 40-year drug war.
Law enforcement officials say minorities, particularly African Americans, who make up 13% of drug users but are arrested for 34% of drug cases, are being targeted in the drug war.
The drug war began in 1971 and has so far cost the U.S. about one trillion dollars. According to the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, legalization of drugs is the only way out of the failed war, just like in many European countries.
The group also sent a report on the drug war to the Office of National Drug Control Policy in order to bring the issue to the attention of the Obama administration.
Three out of four Americans believe the war on drugs is a failure.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition stated it will continue its push for the legalization of drugs through greater dialogue with the White House as well as on a more grassroots level in raising awareness. This way, they hope to put an end to the lives lost, due to the drug war, of fellow law enforcement officials and American civilians.
