Pubdate: Thu, 20 Feb 2003
Source: Bradenton Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2003 Bradenton Herald
Contact:  http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradentonherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58
Author: William Follmer

DRUG WAR 'DOOMED'

I totally agree with the recent letters relating to the failure of the
drug laws and specifically to the failure of the "war on drugs."

Just like prohibition, the war on drugs is, and always has been,
doomed. We have spent hundreds of billions of dollars in this failed
effort. Anyone, anywhere in the U.S., can procure any illegal drug
they want anytime they want. It is time to change our tactics. Do what
worked for alcohol. Regulate, control distribution, tax but remove the
profit basis for the entire illegal drug trade which provides hundreds
of billions of dollars each year to the gangsters who now supply these
drugs.

If people were perfect, prohibition would work. If people were perfect
we would not need prohibition. We are not perfect. Accept this,
abandon the failed war on drugs, and let us spend this money to do
what works best for the common good.

WILLIAM FOLLMER

Bradenton
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)