Pubdate: Fri, 16 Aug 2002
Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)
Copyright: 2002 Amarillo Globe-News
Contact:  http://amarillonet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13
Author: Dean Becker
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1429/a10.html?1282

LEGALIZING DRUGS WOULD CURB SALE TO KIDS

Your Aug. 1 editorial is sub-headed, "Substance abuse endangers many."

I agree, but drug prohibition itself is responsible for daily neighborhood 
shootouts, dangerous concoctions, police corruption and disdain for the law.

The editor wants a guarantee that the side effects of control and 
regulation would not harm more than just users. Americans want guarantees 
for every waking moment. We are the most litigious, incarcerating society 
on earth. We portend to be the world's moral leader; it's our way or the 
highway. Those who embrace prohibition say it's their moral imperative to 
lock up those who refuse to embrace their idea of a perfect society.

The editor fears children would have better access or otherwise be harmed 
by legal drug use. We already have laws to go after child abusers or anyone 
selling drugs to children. What we do not have is any control over the sale 
of drugs to children.

I concur that "any kind of addiction is a family disease." However, the 
harms of alcoholism are known to be far more destructive than those of 
illegal drugs. This sort of posturing maintains the arrest of 1.6 million 
drug users and spends $50 billion in taxpayer money per year in an effort 
that has failed for decades.

I agree that legalization immediately would lower the crime rate for 
burglary, robbery, prostitution and other crimes committed to afford these 
drugs. The editor thinks drug legalization will make drugs more available. 
We already are awash in drugs; anyone who desires them can obtain them.

Superstition, greed and distraction are the tools of the "compassionate" 
drug warrior. How many young drug users do we need to send to prison for 
in-depth criminal training, sodomy lessons and a dose of HIV or Hep C?

Dean Becker

Publisher

Drug Truth - Abrahamson to Zeese

Houston
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MAP posted-by: Tom