Support AlterNet
Do you value the information you're getting from AlterNet? Please show your support with a tax-deductible donation.
Feedback
Tell us how we're doing.
How to put a drug dealer out of business...
Got a tip for a post?:
Email us | Anonymous form
Police in North Carolina are taking a novel approach to shutting down local drug dealers--telling their moms.
Officers "influentials" in a dealer's life and cultivate relationships with them. Then when they've amassed enough evidence to arrest the dealer, they hold off and get Mom, Grandma, and the other influentials to pressure the dealer to stop plying his trade.
I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this. On the one hand, any strategy that deescalates the War on Drugs is a good thing. Still, I'm not entirely comfortable with the police essentially blackmailing third parties to reign in their adult family members.
[Grits for Breakfast]
| Also by Lindsay Beyerstein | ||||
| Honduras Coup Regime: 'Break-Through Accord' Was Just a PR Ploy ... Zelaya Won't Return An adviser to "interim president" Roberto Micheletti says just agreeing was enough to gain international recognition of the upcoming elections. November 2, 2009. |
Ross Douthat's Gay Marriage Moment of Truth: It's Embarrassing to be a Bigot The "crunchy conservative" admits he has no good reason for his position. October 23, 2009. |
Pelosi Steps Up as Champion of the Public Option A Congressional Budget Office report suggesting that a robust public option would actually cut the deficit seems to have lit a fire under Speaker Pelosi. October 21, 2009. |
Whistleblower on Afghani Election: One in Three Votes for Karzai Were Fraudulent 'Spreading democracy' continues to be easier said than done. October 8, 2009. |
Streaming Video: Showdown on Public Option Today in Senate The showdown in the Senate Finance Committee over a public health insurance plan is taking place today. Analysis here, with livestream of the debate. September 29, 2009. |