Pubdate: Wed, 17 Dec 2003
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1909/a07.html?1134

COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE WAR ON DRUGS CONTINUES

Re: Drug issue clouded with conflicting facts, Letters, Dec. 12 News

I'm writing about Devin Olmstead's outstanding letter and I'd like to add 
when all types of recreational drugs were legally sold in local pharmacies 
for pennies per dose, deaths from recreational drugs were very rare.

That's because the drugs were of known quality, known purity and known 
potency. That's just the opposite of our black market drugs of today.

I agree with Olmstead "legalization and regulation are the best approaches 
to protecting ourselves and our children."

However, prohibition and criminalization are the best approaches of 
protecting those with a financial self-interest in maintaining the status quo.

Therefore, the counter-productive war on certain politically selected drugs 
continues.

Kirk Muse,  Mesa, AZ
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom