Pubdate: Sat, 08 Jan 2000
Source: Saint Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
Copyright: 2000 St. Paul Pioneer Press
Contact:  345 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55101
Website: http://www.pioneerplanet.com/
Forum: http://www.pioneerplanet.com/watercooler/
Author:  Ernest Melby

MONEY INTERESTS KEEP FUTILE WAR ON DRUGS ALIVE

New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is right about making drugs legal. We have 
spent billions trying to eliminate these substances with no success. Now 
many people would like to add tobacco to the list. I don't expect drugs to 
be legalized and controlled, not because it doesn't make sense, but because 
the present system has produced a bureaucracy dependent on drugs to exist.

I also don't believe most antismoking organizations would want people to 
quit smoking, nor antialcohol organizations want people to quit drinking 
Their purpose and financial benefit depends on the continuation of these 
activities.

Health might have been the initial purpose for laws and their enforcement. 
I think this reason has long since been discarded for a new purpose which 
is money.

Ernest Melby
Roseville
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