Pubdate: Thu, 15 Mar 2001
Source: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2001 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/services/letters_editor.htm
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Forum: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/interact1.htm
Author: Rudy Mantel

DRUG SUPPLY AND DEMAND

I beg to disagree with the recent editorial that drugs abide by the law of 
supply and demand. Actually, the supply and its aggressive marketing create 
the demand. When I grew up, many years ago, there was no demand for drugs. 
We never heard of them. The demand arose and continued to grow after 
cocaine and heroin were introduced by the Colombian traffickers and their 
dealers, just as there was never a demand for cell phones or TV remote 
controls until they were introduced.

The key to protecting our young people from the scourge of drugs is 
ruthless enforcement of our laws against the drug dealers who profit from 
this evil. When the United States becomes an unpleasant place in which to 
sell drugs, the supply will cease.

We should accelerate treatment of those already addicted. We should 
continue the education of schoolchildren. But most of all we should take 
control of our own country and strike hard at the dealers and traffickers. 
Then the Colombian coca growers will become irrelevant.
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