cannabisnews.com: Liberal Laws Worry Drug Czar





Liberal Laws Worry Drug Czar
Posted by CN Staff on September 16, 2002 at 08:51:17 PT
By Chris Andrews
Source: LSJ.com
White House drug czar John Walters says efforts in several states and Canada to relax drug laws only exacerbate public health problems. Walters, who grew up in Lansing, met with community leaders and state officials last week - his first trip home since he was appointed to the national post in December. The Everett High School grad worries about initiatives in several states to liberalize drug laws.
And he said the Bush administration's policies of pushing education, treatment and enforcement can lead to 10 percent fewer drug users in the next two years."Nobody believes we'll have a better country if there are more drug users," Walters said.Walters, a graduate of Michigan State University's James Madison College, is at the helm at a time when many states are considering relaxing drug laws.Some have already made smoking marijuana legal for medical purposes.Nevada and Arizona have initiatives on the November ballot that would legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use.Ohio voters will decide on a measure that requires treatment rather than incarceration for many drug crimes.A similar measure was attempted in Michigan, but the Board of State Canvassers refused to put it on the ballot because it created a section in the Constitution that already existed. The Supreme Court upheld the decision.Walters planned the Michigan trip to speak out against the referendum and to discuss concerns about a proposal in Canada to legalize marijuana.Critics have complained that Walters has put too much emphasis on drug law enforcement and not enough on treatment."He's perpetuating a failed policy. The drug war has failed miserably on every level," said Maia Storm of the Michigan Campaign for New Drug Policies. Storm said it was a waste of taxpayer dollars for Walters to travel speaking out against voter initiatives.But he's unapologetic. Walters believes efforts to permit drug use among adults or reduce penalties only will encourage it among young people."We cannot honestly believe as responsible adults that the country would be better, that our children's future would be better if drugs were more available to them," Walters said. "That's fine 2 o'clock in the morning dorm room debate, but you can't really expect to have that as a national policy."Walters said that while an estimated 16 million U.S. residents are illegal drug users, drug use is down dramatically compared with 20 years ago.He said rates began to rise in 1992, but he's confident they'll fall again with a renewed emphasis by the Bush administration.He plans to support campaigns to defeat the proposals in Nevada and Arizona."No legitimate public health program attacks the disease while stimulating the way that disease is carried and spread," Walters said. "You can't at the same time say you're serious about treatment and say you don't care about reducing casual drug use."In a round-table discussion at Crossroads Center, a transitional living center for youths, which Walters toured Friday, community leaders said they were struggling with limited resources.Dagmar Moravec, a Gateway Community Services board member, said there were very few residential treatment centers for young people in Michigan. Lansing residents must travel to Saginaw or Grand Rapids.Sidebar: The Walters fileName: John WaltersPosition: White House drug czarAge: 50Home: Washington, D.C.Education: Graduate of Everett High School, MSU's James Madison College; master's degree, University of TorontoBackground: Assistant to former U.S. Education Secretary and drug czar William Bennett; former president of the Philanthropy Roundtable, a national association of more than 600 foundations and individual donors. Personal: Married, two childrenNote: Area native visits, talks of initiatives.Source: Lansing State Journal (MI)Author: Chris AndrewsPublished: September 16, 2002Copyright: 2002 Lansing State Journal Website: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/Contact: http://www.lsj.com/contactus/index.htmlRelated Articles:Czar Rips Canadian Recommendation On Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14125.shtmlDrug Czar Walters: Marijuana Most Abused Drug http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14100.shtmlCanada's Pot Policy Under Fire from U.S.http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14095.shtml
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Comment #9 posted by karkulus on September 16, 2002 at 15:21:01 PT
Remember..
This guy was appointed by the guy who was elected by 24% of the people..and confirmed by a senate who said "Yeah,sure..whatever" ..But if He's the best puppet they can come up with..Yeeech!
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Comment #8 posted by prop203 on September 16, 2002 at 12:59:28 PT
billionar activists
Why dosent one of these rich billionars that are anti prohabition, run constant comercials destroying the DEA ads? Like run a comercial sayingthings like Beacuse of the DEA and the drug war funds that can be taxed are instead being funnelled to the terrorist. If we ended the drug war it would be the end of the terrorist funding to the drug cartels.. etc...If suzy could obtain her marijuana from a local doctor she wouldnt need to go on the streets and give money to the terrorists. but because of ludicrass war on drugs the DEA forces her to obtain her medicen this way.Prop203=YES=AZ
we will win easy
the oposition must make up 31% diffrence.. in 1 1/2 months
HAHAHA 
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Comment #7 posted by The GCW on September 16, 2002 at 12:34:08 PT
Walters is the health problem
not cannabis.
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Comment #6 posted by druid on September 16, 2002 at 12:11:35 PT:
Walters the Town Lier
"No legitimate public health program attacks the disease while stimulating the way that disease is carried and spread," Walters said. "You can't at the same time say you're serious about treatment and say you don't care about reducing casual drug use."Ok Mr. Walters answer me this: Why don't we have programs like needle exchanges and the like in every city, town and municipality across the country?[sarcasm]We have to deal with AIDS but lets not hinder the progress of the disease ok. Let's just let it spread no matter how. Cause you know those pesky needle exchanges are just places for junkies to get free goods. They(needle exchanges) don't help public health at all. [/sarcasm]I am entirely too frustrated and fed up with this federalist BS. People need realize, legalize and vote libertarian. We need a mass exodus to the state of the nation the USA was when the framers of the constitution all signed it. Extreme grossly out of proportion federal power has got to go and the States need to stand up for their rights. It's only going to get worse before it gets any better. Walters and his storm troopers are going to try and "win" anyway they can. I am scared of the immediate future and you should be too.
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Comment #5 posted by Duzt on September 16, 2002 at 11:29:43 PT
Walters
I'm pretty sure that John Walters is Harry Anslinger reincarnated as another (the same)ignorant asshole.
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Comment #4 posted by JHarshaw on September 16, 2002 at 10:15:11 PT
Places in History
It just occurred to me that when the children of the future are studying this era in their History classes John Walters is going to be listed as one of the biggest liars to ever hold public office.This is not a legacy that I would choose to leave behind. I mean it's bad enough to make this big a fool of yourself while you are alive but this means people are going to be laughing at him for centuries after he's gone to his final Judgement.Better him than me!Peace and pot.
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Comment #3 posted by KCPanther_73 on September 16, 2002 at 09:51:22 PT:
JR Bob Dobbs' comment
I would like to say that JR has the best view that I have ever heard. If you look at the USA on how it was during the time of prohibition, and the aftermath, there is a definate positive outcome. I feel the same way about marijuana. Legalize it, and move on. Lets end the "Drug War" against this narcotic.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 16, 2002 at 09:16:28 PT
Caring About Public Health
If John Walters really cared about public health he would consider what serious diseases can be transmitted in a confined area namely in prisons. People get out of jail and take diseases that they can pick up there into the public arena of society. 
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Comment #1 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on September 16, 2002 at 09:12:01 PT
LTE
Sirs,  If John Walters really was interested in public health, he would outlaw alcohol, cigarettes, and fast food. Our nation has already proven how well outlawing alcohol works - it funds criminals and encourages underage drinking. Legal or not, intoxicating drugs are not going to go away. The question is only what we plan to do about it. Prohibition is again causing more harm than good. You will never hear the drug czar say this, of course, because without prohibition, he's unemployed.
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