As a Chicago police officer, as well as a resident of theEnglewood community, one of the most crime-ridden and drug infestedin this country, I have a unique perspective on the problem ofillegal drugs.
The consumption of illegal drugs fuels the economy of thedepressed segments of the African American community.
Far too many of my people choose to embark upon thisself-destructive behavior. Once one is introduced to thesesubstances, the purveyors soon have a loyal customer for as long as alifetime. The users of these substances will foresake everything tosatisfy their cravings. Food, clothing, shelter, hygiene, sex, eventhe welfare of their children. To acquire money to obtain thesesubstances, the users will lie, cheat, steal, prostitute, exploittheir children or even kill. Anything!
The few rehabilitation programs have long waiting lists andless-than-perfect success rates. Removing drugs from an addict'slife is almost as hard as weaning non-users from food, water oroxygen. It is also a lifelong endeavor, similar to an alcoholicabstaining from his legalized drug of choice.
The pushers of these illegal substances are too often the moversand shakers in the African American community. They drive the bigluxury and sports cars, wear the fancy clothes and jewelry, and evenown the nicest real estate.
Because of the tremendous amounts of wealth related to thistrade, I see my community as being turned upside down, with childrenas young as 12 controlling the lives and actions of men and womenseveral years their senior. Those who should be the elders,possessing wisdom and experience, are being ordered around anddirected by youngsters. I truly see a society on the verge of totaldecay.
The situation is aggravated by a large economy somewhatreluctant to absorb African Americans in good times and unable to doso in these hard times. And a failed and impotent educationalsystem. And a welfare system that is counter-productive and asaddictive as the drugs that plague the community. And a constantbombardment of images of the "good life" coming at us through theever-present TV screen. And finally, the proliferation andavailability of lethal weaponry.
I do not imply that those who are truly determined to make it inthis society cannot do so. The strong, gifted or connected willusually succeed if they apply themselves adequately. My concern iswith those who are less blessed.
Meanwhile, decent people are afraid to walk the streets of theirneighborhoods or allow their children to play outside, for fear ofbeing robbed or assaulted by crazed drug addicts or struck by straybullets from drug dealers.
Surely we can stop the flow of this drug poison across ourborders. I see it as simply a matter of seriousness, priorities,resource allocation and true commitment. Let's stop it now!
Andrew E. Billups is a Chicago police officer in the GreshamDistrict.
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