Pubdate: Thu, 12 Apr 2001
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Copyright: 2001 Richmond Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365
Author: Paul Miller
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n578/a09.html

DRUG WAR IS NATIONAL FARCE

Editor, Times-Dispatch: Alexander Monroe's Commentary column regarding the 
drug war seems to forget a few inconvenient facts - such as:

After years of fighting this so-called war to limit the supply of drugs, 
illegal drugs of all types are readily available in every corner of the state.

This is a no-win effort. Drug-demand reduction and treatment programs can 
have positive effects, but force will be no more successful at shutting 
down this black market than it was at stopping the production, transport, 
and sale of alcohol back when that was prohibited.

At a time when Virginians should be focused on our true common enemy, the 
car tax, we ought to be asking ourselves whether we want to continue 
funding the state's participation in the national drug-war farce.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D