Spring Break
Retired cops: Legalize drugs
Erik Myers
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: News
Drug dealers and addicts today, Smithson said, are much more likely to resort to violence or theft in their attempts to sell or obtain. Government regulation, he says, would prevent addicts from resorting to such measures, and would take away power from dealers associated with other criminal activity.
For Smithson, advocates of the "War on Drugs" aren't just ordinary citizens, but also dealers who don't want their power taken away.
"Whenever we endorse prohibition, we suddenly become partners with the very people we despise," Smithson said. "People who are in support of prohibition have as their partners drug cartels, organized crime and international terrorists. They are just as much components of keeping prohibition in place."
There are a number of students at CSU, however, who say they believe LEAP's proposal wouldn't benefit the drug problem whatsoever. Alexa Olin, an undeclared freshman, says she has seen lives ruined by drug access.
"There's already too many drugs going around," Olin said. "I've seen too many middle school kids get their hands on it through parents or whoever, and their lives go down the drain."
Other students, such as freshman microbiology major Ian McMillan, say that the "War on Drugs" has been too costly to continue fighting.
"Don't spend money on (fighting) drugs, spend it on people." McMillan said.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) will be hosting Ryan's speech. SSDP President Amanda Broz said the group didn't necessarily hold the same views as LEAP, but encourages the community to see Ryan speak, as he provides a truly non-traditional and interesting perspective.
"Here's a person who was basically a warrior for the War on Drugs; they saw the people put into jail, what happened to those people, what happened in the police system they were working in," Broz said. "It's really interesting to see someone who was fighting the war on drugs and has now changed their mind, and has come out and speak adamantly against it."
Senior reporter Erik Myers can be reached at news@collegian.com.
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What: Retired Denver Police Officer Tony Ryan says, "Cops want to legalize drugs; ask me why"
When: Tomorrow, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Clark A103
For Smithson, advocates of the "War on Drugs" aren't just ordinary citizens, but also dealers who don't want their power taken away.
"Whenever we endorse prohibition, we suddenly become partners with the very people we despise," Smithson said. "People who are in support of prohibition have as their partners drug cartels, organized crime and international terrorists. They are just as much components of keeping prohibition in place."
There are a number of students at CSU, however, who say they believe LEAP's proposal wouldn't benefit the drug problem whatsoever. Alexa Olin, an undeclared freshman, says she has seen lives ruined by drug access.
"There's already too many drugs going around," Olin said. "I've seen too many middle school kids get their hands on it through parents or whoever, and their lives go down the drain."
Other students, such as freshman microbiology major Ian McMillan, say that the "War on Drugs" has been too costly to continue fighting.
"Don't spend money on (fighting) drugs, spend it on people." McMillan said.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) will be hosting Ryan's speech. SSDP President Amanda Broz said the group didn't necessarily hold the same views as LEAP, but encourages the community to see Ryan speak, as he provides a truly non-traditional and interesting perspective.
"Here's a person who was basically a warrior for the War on Drugs; they saw the people put into jail, what happened to those people, what happened in the police system they were working in," Broz said. "It's really interesting to see someone who was fighting the war on drugs and has now changed their mind, and has come out and speak adamantly against it."
Senior reporter Erik Myers can be reached at news@collegian.com.
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What: Retired Denver Police Officer Tony Ryan says, "Cops want to legalize drugs; ask me why"
When: Tomorrow, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Clark A103
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 5
jimmy
posted 10/24/07 @ 8:09 AM MST
To the freshman who said there are too many drugs...I have seen too many peoples lives go down the drain!
That is the whole point, by legalizing the government instead of spending money can actually make money. (Continued…)
A Concerned Citizen
posted 10/24/07 @ 8:24 AM MST
Yeah, let's make laws discouraging drug use go - We'll save money punishing lawbreakers, but it's alright to let people destroy their lives and others. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 10/24/07 @ 4:29 PM MST
Hmmmmm Tough dilema. Let me smoke a bowl and get back to you guys on that.
Hey how come when I come to this site it keeps launching Trojan viruses. (Continued…)
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