Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2003
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2003, The Tribune Co.
Contact:  http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Note: Limit LTEs to 150 words
Author: John Chase

REMOVE THE PROFIT

We roll our eyes at drug dealers so inept they would mistake the MacDill 
Air Force Base gate for a toll booth. But their places on the street will 
be filled.

If empty for long, the law of supply and demand will drive the price ever 
higher until it attracts men less inept, more reckless and violent than 
those they replace. We should know after 80 years of trying that it is 
impossible to destroy a market by making it more profitable.

If we want to put these guys out of business for keeps, we must do two 
things neither Florida nor Washington has ever tried: Take out the profit 
and reduce demand. One way would be to undercut the street price in state 
drug stores and use part of the revenue for open-ended free treatment to 
all who ask. Then let law enforcement clean up the residual street market, 
as they dried up untaxed alcohol after Prohibition ended. We know it works. 
When did you last see a bootlegger selling booze on the street?

JOHN CHASE, Palm Harbor
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens