Pubdate: Tue, 30 Apr 2002
Source: Appleton Post-Crescent (WI)
Copyright: 2002 The Post-Crescent
Contact:  http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1443
Author: John Haselow
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

LEGALIZATION ANSWER TO DRUG PROBLEM

Stuart Schmitz, in his recent letter to the editor "War on drugs expensive, 
futile" was to the point, and absolutely correct.

The key word regarding the drug war is control. Drug use is not bad, drug 
abuse is bad.

We all use drugs or other ways to alter our feelings. Drugs may not be the 
best choice, but it is a choice we individually need to make.

Legalization of illicit drugs is the only reasonable solution to our 
national (and worldwide) drug problem. Legalization does not mean freedom 
to use or abuse drugs indiscriminately. Legalization means control.

Legalization refers to a set of rules for behavior and rules for the drugs 
themselves.

Legalization destroys the "black market" for drugs, which is responsible 
for the majority of the crime, violence and overdose deaths associated with 
illicit drug use.

The total cost of our drug war over the past 30 years is one-half trillion 
dollars, and nothing has been done to resolve this problem.

John Haselow, M.D.,

Drug Policy Reform, Neenah
- ---
MAP posted-by: Alex