PUB LTE: DEA Overstepped Authority Trying To Influence Ballot

[420AM&PM]

Kudos to The Gazette for condemning the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's decision to misappropriate taxpayers' funds and staff time to campaign against Amendment 44, The Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative ( "DEA should butt out of state ballot debate," The Gazette, Aug. 30 ).

Whether one favors or disapproves of Amendment 44, Colorado voters deserve the opportunity to decide this issue free from federally sponsored interference.

Further, The Gazette is correct to question the DEA's "expert" credentials and to inquire whether the agency can be "an honest broker of information" regarding drug policy. According to the DEA's mission statement ( Drug Enforcement Administration Home ), the agency's primary function is to "enforce the controlled substances law."

DEA officials do so, according to the agency's Web site, by investigating and prosecuting violators of controlled substances laws and seizing their assets. Not surprisingly, nowhere on the DEA's Web site does the agency state that its mission is to make law or influence public policy.

This November, that duty ought to be left to Colorado's voters.

Newshawk: 420Am&Pm - 420Times.com
Source: Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO)
Pubdate: Wed, 06 Sep 2006
Author: Paul Armentano
Copyright: 2006 The Gazette
Contact: gtop@gazette.com
Website: Gazette.com: Home