Crime is a growing problem in such places as Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District.. Crime often results from the illegal drug commerce going on in the streets. With the high prices of drugs, it is not uncommon for gangs to attempt to steal these drugs from other gangs, resulting in arrests.
In the Maryland Fourth Congressional District Election of 2008, the candidate’s position on the topic of the war on drugs will be a major factor in determining the winner of the race. I feel that the prohibition of drugs should be stopped, because the prohibition is more harmful than helpful. The prohibition of drugs is allowing gangs to develop, which is leading to increased violence on the streets. Dr. Michael Babula, 2008 Democratic candidate for Maryland’s fourth congressional district, feels that incarcerating large segments of America’s youth population for drug related crime will not advance society or help Maryland’s fourth congressional district.[1] Dr. Babula also addresses the cost of drugs, and how legalization of drugs will affect the price at which drugs are currently purchased: “…the money freed from falling prices would likely permit users who want to seek treatment the ability to afford healthcare and treatment facilities to fight their addiction.”[2] The war on drugs is a pointless mission. Cynthia Tucker writes, “Some four or so decades into an intensive effort to stamp out recreational drug use, billions of dollars have been spent; thousands of criminals, many of them foreigners, have been enriched; and hundreds of thousands of Americans have been imprisoned. And the use of illegal substances continues unabated.”[3] The billions of dollars that are being used to attempt to eliminate the drug problem could be used to eliminate the enormous amount of debt that the United States has. In the front page article of the Oakland Tribune, the author stated, “I would like to see an estimate of the cumulative cost of this two-year effort involving the full range of law enforcement agencies -- The Feds, DEA, FBI, grand jury, IRS, state, county and numerous local police and prosecution officers and ultimately the judicial system jails and prisons -- no doubt millions of dollars”.[4]
Albert Wynn, one of Dr. Babula’s main competitors, foolishly feels that increasing jail sentences will discourage illegal commerce of drugs. Simply throwing the people into prison will not eliminate the problem. On his website, www.babula2008.com, Dr. Babula says “Incarceration causes depression because people start to suffer from feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and general cognitive impairment.” This will not eliminate the problem after the guilty are released, only when they are imprisoned.
Dr. Michael Babula is clearly the right choice for the 2008 Maryland Fourth Congressional District election. His ideas are in the best interest of the needs of the people of Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District. Dr. Babula must be elected if we want the best for our nation.
[1] Issues: Crime Rates and Legalization of Drugs, http://babula2008.com/issues.htm#fightcrime
[2] Issues: Crime Rates and Legalization of Drugs, http://babula2008.com/issues.htm#fightcrime
[3] Cynthia Tucker, War on Drugs Still Failing After All These Years, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_km2912/is_200712/ai_n21176226
[4] When you add it up, drug war not worthwhile, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20071101/ai_n21092066
