Explaining the plan he said: There has never been a paper bag for drugs. Until now.<\/p>\n
That plot line is now a reality. Baltimore is turning a blind eye to the consumption of marijuana, cocaine and heroin, despite the laws around drug use still standing.<\/p>\n
As other states move to legalise recreational marijuana - which is still technically illegal in Maryland - America is watching the effects of not prosecuting the possession of other drugs.<\/p>\n
The move has been welcomed by organisations fighting for change.<\/p>\n
Daphne Alston founded M.O.M.S - mothers of murdered sons and daughters - a community group which supports the families of children who have been killed, and campaigns for safer neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n
Her 22-year-old son Tariq was shot dead at a party 12 years ago. No-one has ever been charged.<\/p>\n
That the group works with around 2,000 women shows the extent of the problem and why the city is desperate for new initiatives.<\/p>\n
This is a change for the better, the 61-year-old told the Telegraph.<\/p>\n
The number of people in prison for dumb stuff is unbelievable. And look at the effect it has.<\/p>\n
A kid might not see their father for two years and by then, they have no-one to look up to and are taken in by the money and fast life of crime.<\/p>\n
Across town, at Turning Points Clinic - Americas largest methadone dispensary run by a church group - Lisa McIntyre explains how she was shooting heroin nine times a day until she walked in on her boyfriend after an overdose, his friend lying dead next to him.<\/p>\n
In the two years since, she hasnt taken heroin, but says the 90g of methadone she has each day keeps her clean.<\/p>\n
Now 50, and bearing the scars of years of self-harm, Ms McIntyre (below) doesnt believe that sweeping the problems under the carpet is the way forward.<\/p>\n
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See the original post here:<\/p>\n
Baltimore: How one of America's deadliest cities ended the war on drugs - with help from The Wire - Telegraph.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Explaining the plan he said: There has never been a paper bag for drugs. Until now. That plot line is now a reality. Continue reading