Pubdate: Sat, 13 Jul 2002
Source: Daily Advertiser, The (LA)
Copyright: 2002 South Louisiana Publishing
Contact:  http://www.theadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1670
Author: Kirk Muse

PROHIBITING ALCOHOL JUST DID NOT WORK

I'm writing about Stacy Leger's thoughtful letter, "Why are all cigarettes 
and miscellaneous drugs legal?" Certainly, if drugs were made illegal based 
upon their danger and the harm they cause, tobacco should be the first 
product prohibited and alcohol the second.

We tried prohibiting alcohol and it didn't work. Alcohol prohibition caused 
much more harm than it prevented. It corrupted all levels of government 
from the cops on the beat on up.

People didn't stop buying alcohol, they just stoped buying it from legal 
sources. The sale and distribution was controlled by criminal gangs. The 
alcohol was of unknown quality, purity and potency that resulted in 
needless deaths and needless blindings.

Essentially the same thing is happening today with the prohibition of 
recreational drugs. It's not working either.

Except to provide full employment for those doing the prohibiting.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Arizona
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth