Pubdate: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 Source: Macon Telegraph (GA) Copyright: 2001 The Macon Telegraph Publishing Company Contact: http://www.macontelegraph.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/667 Author: Steve Helms Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1706/a03.html EDITORIAL ON THE MARK Editorial on the mark Your editorial on Sept. 25, "Find a drug program that works and fund it," is right on the mark but could go further. Short-circuiting the cycle of drug dependence with treatment programs both inside and outside of the prison system is money well spent to reduce drug abuse in this country. I would also ask that the laws in this country reflect the difference between soft and hard drugs --- which are often treated the same under both federal and state laws. Drugs like marijuana should be treated and taxed like alcohol. Alcohol is by far a more harmful drug than marijuana. Regulate marijuana sales (legally) and tax the sales to fund treatment programs for hard drugs. This not only allows law enforcement to concentrate on hard drugs but reduces the exposure of those who use marijuana to the black market sellers who also push the hard drugs. Steve Helms, Southlake, Texas - --- MAP posted-by: Lou King