Over 50 police officers descended upon Matthew David Stewart’s home to serve a drug warrant. They invaded his home, guns drawn, and a shootout ensued in which Matthew was wounded, several officers were as well, and one officer ended up dying because of his wounds. None of this was necessary.
His story is not unique. Such drug raids happen around 100 times every day throughout America. Each of these uses of coercion is illegitimate and disproportionate to the perceived crime. Individuals who consume a substance in their own home, when it in no way violates or threatens the rights of those around them, should not be punished with such staggering violence. There are far better ways at working to reduce the impact of drugs in our community, and it’s past time that policy makers take note and scale back the police state.
