Pubdate: Sat, 11 Aug 2001
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Copyright: 2001 Richmond Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365
Author: Alan Reiner

END BLACK MARKET BY LEGALIZING DRUGS

Editor, Times-Dispatch: I am writing this letter in response to the August 
1 article, "Heroin, Ecstasy Drug Use on Rise." I would point out important 
facts very few people realize. I want to describe two examples of how much 
easier the drug problem would be with legalization.

The first is the purity of heroin. The article states, "Heroin is now also 
more lethal." The purity of heroin has nothing to do with how lethal it is. 
What makes it lethal is a teen-ager who is getting 70 percent pure heroin 
thinking it is 35 percent and taking twice as much as he intended. If 
heroin could be bought at a pharmacy as a prescription, users would know 
exactly how much they are ingesting. No one wants to overdose. This also 
would ensure that there are no other harmful chemicals, either.

Second, part of our drug war is attributed to "protecting our children." I 
fail to see how we are protecting our children by letting them buy 
adulterated drugs that could be lethal, never mind that we let them buy 
drugs at all. Most kids get their drugs from peers and drug dealers who are 
in the business to make a profit. These drug dealers themselves are most 
likely under 21 and pushing to sell their drugs. No one can deny the fact 
that legalizing drugs would eliminate the black market, and by doing so, we 
could set an age limit on purchases.

Alan Reiner.
Arlington.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart