War on drugs

Re “Andrew Brown shot in the back of the head and right arm by sheriff’s deputies, private autopsy shows” (April 27): The tragedy in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, is yet another scene on the same stage: the militarization of law enforcement to wage a war on drugs is actually a real war waged on citizens. Serving a warrant on people such as Andrew Brown (for allegedly selling cocaine) with guns blazing will never solve the drug problem. SWAT team tactics present a very high risk of injury or death to both citizens and police. The war on drugs has indeed affected people of color disproportionately. Yet there are also many white people who have died at the hands of “hyped-up” officers during paramilitary anti-drug operations. I encourage readers to search the internet for Zachary Hammond to witness the execution of an unarmed white citizen.

More police and prisons will never solve the problem of drug abuse. Multimillion-dollar lawsuits against police for improper actions can bankrupt municipalities. Consequently, funding for other essential public services is reduced. The banning of “no-knock” drug raids and legalization of marijuana in Virginia are positive steps forward. Removal of financial incentives — via asset forfeiture — for police to wage war is also well warranted.

The drug war is doing more harm than drugs themselves. As long as there is demand, there will be supply. The failure of alcohol prohibition and associated violence in the 1930s is replaying with the failure of drug prohibition today. Deescalated enforcement strategies with a reallocation of funding to public health is the only answer.

Steve Wallace, Norfolk