From Andrew McCullough

July 16, 2002

To: Daily Herald
1555 North Freedom Boulevard
Provo, Utah 84606



Dear Editor:

I just returned from a trip back east to see a family member who was ill, and heard the news the that a sitting Fourth District Court Judge was arrested for possession of drugs and booked into jail. The news made me sad, as I have known this man for many years, and consider him to be a fine member of the legal community .

This is an opportunity, however, which I should not miss, to once again call for an end to the insane war on drugs. Drug abuse, like alcoholism, is a disease which must be treated. If it interferes with his duties, he should be released from those duties during treatment. Neither this particular person, nor anyone else accused of simple possession of drugs, should be treated like a criminal and put in jail. It is a total waste of taxpayer’s money and greatly magnifies the personal tragedy.

If I am elected the next Utah Attorney General, I will work towards a County-wide and State-wide policy of treating drug abusers as we would treat anyone else with a disease. Having such a prominent member of the community arrested for this problem should give us all pause to think about where our drug policies are heading. A whole generation of people has been made into criminals for becoming sick. Surely our law enforcement officials must know that we need to try something different.


Sincerely yours,

W. Andrew McCullough
Libertarian candidate
For Utah Attorney General
Lehi, Utah