Thomas A. Constantine

Thomas A. Constantine is a former superintendent of the New York State Police and former administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In the following viewpoint, excerpted from his testimony before Congress in 1999, he contends that new aggressive law enforcement practices are the best way to win the war on drugs. He asserts that drug use and general crime rates have declined because of such law enforcement policies. Constantine argues against the legalization of drugs; he believes society is better off when dangerous and addictive drugs remain illegal.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Constantine, what kinds of people are behind proposals to legalize drugs?
2. By what percentage did the homicide rate decline in New York City during the 1990s, as cited by the author?
3. What are...