Pubdate: Fri, 31 Aug 2001
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: J. Colman-Pinning
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor; headline by newshawk

GOVERNMENTS ARE INVOLVED IN THE DRUG TRADE

THE EDITOR who wrote the comment, "Getting involved in the drug trade is 
not easy for governments" (Letters, Aug. 28) should check the facts before 
writing a statement that is so clearly untrue. Involvement in the drug 
trade is a primary reason for the U.S. government's intransigence regarding 
prohibition. How else do you explain pushing a policy of prohibition that 
creates far more harm than the substances it ostensibly seeks to eradicate? 
Whether it's prohibited drugs, patented drugs or monopoly drugs 
(tobacco/alcohol), governments are involved in the drug trade up to their 
hypocritical eyeballs.

J. Colman-Pinning,

Waldport, Oregon

(Clearly, drug policy is never an easy issue for governments.)
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart