Writing as a retired detective, BAYANET is a horrific waste of tax dollars, both federal “free” money and Michigan residents’.  We taxpayers must pay the $30,000 per year to lock up those arrested by my colleagues.  The feds are $15 trillion in the red, in case anybody cares.

After 40 years of Drug War and a trillion tax dollars spent, drugs are cheaper, stronger and readily available to Michigan residents young and old.  We know that every drug dealer arrested is quickly replaced.

Due to my experience as a street cop, these illegal drugs, even marijuana, are too dangerous to leave in the control of criminals and teens.  They should be brought under the control of Lansing, like we do with alcohol and tobacco products.

Howard Wooldridge

LeRoy

As the Thin Blue line shrinks in Oregon, our leaders need to have us focus on public safety, not the personal safety of adults in their home. During my time on the streets I learned the government cannot fix stupid.

Howard Wooldridge, Adamstown, Md. (Oct. 30)

As my colleagues fly around in helicopters, pedophiles are not being caught in the Internet chat rooms, as they entice young teens to “meet in real life.” My profession shrinks by the day, and chasing after a green plant should be at the bottom of our priority list. 

In my experience, marijuana is too dangerous to leave in the hands of criminals and cartels. It should be handled like alcohol. Can anyone explain how marijuana prohibition is helping our young people, since it is easier for them to buy pot than whiskey?

Det./Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)

Speaking as a retired police detective and member of LEAP ( Law Enforcement Against Prohibition ), I heartily concur with the NAACP that it is past time to terminate our failed war on drugs also known as the war on people — mostly of color ( “The NAACP is calling for an end to the drug war; what about you?” July 31 ).  My profession, which is shrinking all over America, must return to its true mission of public safety.

If you have a drug problem, see an addiction clinic.

Howard Wooldridge,

Howard Wooldridge is a Drug Policy Specialist with Citizens Opposing Prohibition.

Speaking as a retired street cop, the amount of time and money going after the marijuana crop is a horrific waste of taxpayer money.  Pot has been readily available to kids for over 30 years, despite the pinpricks in supply reduction.

As the “Thin Blue Lines” get thinner, I hope my colleagues will focus their attention on pedophiles, drunk drivers and other public safety threats.

Got a problem with marijuana? See an addiction doctor.

Howard Wooldridge

Re “Happy 40th, Drug War” ( Guest comment, by Jay Bergstrom, July 7 ):

Speaking as a retired detective, I heartily agree with the anti-prohibition views of Jay Bergstrom.

When I first strapped on a badge and gun, my task was simple: protecting the weak from the strong—public safety.  When the War on Drugs ramped up, the personal safety of citizens in their own homes became important.  We became like parents.  “Now Charlie, if you don’t take the cocaine out of your nose I am going to tell your father …  I mean the judge.” Politicians thought the government could fix stupid via the police.  Oops.

I look forward to the day my profession returns to a task we are good at: public safety.  Got a drug problem, Charlie? See a doctor.  I got better things to do than chase you.

Howard Wooldridge

Springville, Calif.

Dear Editor:

As a retired detective I thank you for the excellent op-ed on drug prohibition/war on drugs ( “Who thinks Aspen’s just like Pakistan? The DEA, of course,” Andy Stone, June 8, 2011, The Aspen Times ).

Yes, the DEA is mostly concerned about losing their paycheck.  They know better than anyone that police efforts are equal to a mosquito on the butt of an elephant.

Most street cops privately agree that we should treat marijuana like beer.  Their command officers, however, know that without prohibition, our profession will lose about $12 billion in good overtime and job security.  Thus, they blackmail politicians to keep the money rolling in by threatening them with loss of political support.

It is a sad picture indeed.

Howard Wooldridge

Speaking as a retired detective, I don’t care whether drug courts are effective.  My problem is that either way, you will have my profession wasting precious police time chasing the Charlie Sheens and Willie Nelsons of Georgia.  As the Thin Blue Line gets thinner, and pedophiles are thick in the chat rooms trying to meet teens in real life, chasing drug users is simply insane.

Who still believes that the government can fix stupid? Families should look after loved ones with a drug issue.

Howard Wooldridge, Albany

U.S.  Rep.  Michael McCaul, R-Austin, and The Dallas Morning News don’t have a clue on how to solve the horror and misery that is Mexico today.

They naively believe that tougher penalties will have an impact?   Please.  As a retired detective, I know that drug dealers accept, as a condition of employment, death and long prison terms.

Drug prohibition is the cause of all the beheadings.  To end Mexico’s death and misery, we need to repeal our drug prohibition just like we did in 1933.  As women and children are shot dead every day in Mexico, it is immoral for our country to continue this failed, trillion-dollar modern prohibition.

Howard Wooldridge, Dallas

Show me the evidence please.

Yes, people are hurt and killed by taking too many pills like Oxicodone.  Many more are hurt and killed by cigarettes and booze.

Should we track and restrict their sales as well? Allow an adult to only buy one bottle of whiskey a week? Where do you nanny-staters wish to draw the line?

HOWARD WOOLDRIDGE

Albany