Independent (UK): Published LTE:A DESTRUCTIVE AND IMMORAL POLICY

Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jun 2010
Author: Howard Wooldridge
 

Perspectives on Drug Prohibition

As a retired police detective from the USA, I thank you for publishing Johann Hari’s analysis of drug prohibition ( 11 June ).

During my 18 years in the trenches of this destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy, I witnessed part of the one trillion dollars spent so far to make my country “drug-free”.  As my colleagues spent their shifts in pursuit of a baggie of cannabis, drunk drivers were freer to slaughter tens of thousands of innocents.  When detectives are flying around in helicopters looking for green plants, the paedophiles in the chat room have an easier time of making contact with our 13-year-olds.

Privately many police officers will admit that drug prohibition increases crime and reduces public safety.  Scotland Yard’s Detective Chief Superintendent Eddie Ellison ( RIP ) was among the first UK “top cops” to speak plainly in public.  It is past time for them to follow his courageous lead.

Howard Wooldridge

Washington DC