Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jul 2002
Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)
Copyright: 2002 Amarillo Globe-News
Contact:  http://amarillonet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13
Author: Howard J. Wooldridge

DRUG PROHIBITION ISN'T WORKING IN THIS COUNTRY

Brent Biles hit lots of nails on the head with his excellent June 30 
column, "Now, some possible solutions to drug problem."

As a retired police officer with 15 years' experience in law enforcement, I 
can state that prohibition guarantees the existence of drug dealers. 
Prohibition is the root problem Mr. Biles is talking about.

Prohibition has not worked since Adam and Eve bit the apple.

Eighty-eight years ago, when people could go to the pharmacy and buy 
cocaine and heroin, about 2 percent of the U.S. population was abusing 
those two drugs. Today, 2 percent of the population is still abusing those 
two drugs.

Society needs to accept as a fact that there always will be about 2 percent 
who will abuse those curently illegal drugs, the same as we accept the fact 
that about 5 percent of the population will become alcoholics.

Eliminating the use of dangerous/deadly drugs is a fool's errand. We need 
to reduce the harm done by these drugs to the individual and to society.

Prohibiting the regulated sale of the drugs accomplishes neither.

Howard J. Wooldridge

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Fort Worth
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