Pubdate: Thu, 06 Nov 2003
Source: Santa Maria Sun, The (CA)
Copyright: 2003 Santa Maria Sun
Contact: http://www.santamariasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/959
Author: Mel Marshall
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1702/a04.html
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1614/a13.html
Cited: Drug Crazy by Mike Gray, http://www.drugcrazy.com
Cited: Media Awareness Project, http://www.mapinc.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
DRUG LETTERS ARE GOOD
Thank you for printing letters suggesting serious changes to our drug
policies. It is good to see people taking an appreciation for justice on
this issue, particularly marijuana prohibition.
I've been watching the War on Drugs for about seven years now, and I think
I can sum it up like this: Drug laws began in the late 1800s as a way to
control minorities ("Drug Crazy", a 200-page book by Mike Gray, explains it
all very well). It continues because certain people are making a large
amount of money from the lucrative Black Market.
America's drug policies should be completely overhauled to be based on
science and medicine, not fear and profit. Please ask your congresspeople
to consider legalization and regulation. Drug abuse is a personal and
medical problem, not a judicial one, just like alcohol abuse and nicotine
addiction.
Unfortunately, the common belief that the War on Drugs is saving us all
from utter destruction is keeping many people in the government employed.
But even the pro-Drug War people should be mad at how much drug activity
there is despite spending billions and arresting millions.
Also, chemical abuse is the real problem, because kids use legal and
accessible things all the time to get a high, and those inhalants might be
the most damaging thing they can do to their body's chemistry.
A great source of Drug War news: www.mapinc.org.
When we have more facts and justice, we'll have a more free and responsible
society. Go Libertarians!
Mel Marshall, Lakewood
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D