Pubdate: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 Source: Washington Times (DC) Copyright: 2003 News World Communications, Inc. Contact: http://www.washingtontimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492 Author: Kirk Muse Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1566/a04.html DISSECTING DRUG POLICY Some observations about the article, "Walters links drugs to terrorism" (World, Saturday). If illegal drugs are linked to terrorism, it's for one reason: our drug prohibition policies. Ninety years ago, when recreational drugs were legally available in local pharmacies for pennies per dose, organized criminals and international terrorists had no interest in recreational drugs. That's because there wasn't enough money in the business. Our drug criminalization policies have made easy-to-grow weeds and easy-to-produce chemicals more valuable than pure gold. We could put organized criminals and international terrorists out of the drug business in a heartbeat -- the same way we put organized criminals out of the alcohol business in 1933. By legalizing, regulating and controlling the sale of recreational drugs. Does U.S. drug czar John P. Walters believe that if Rush Limbaugh purchased prescription narcotic drugs on the illegal black market that he willingly supported international terrorists? If Mr. Limbaugh is found guilty, should he then go to federal prison for 10 years, as called for by our federal sentencing guidelines? If not, why not? KIRK MUSE Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake