Pubdate: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 Source: Auburn Plainsman, The (AL Edu) Copyright: 2003 The Auburn Plainsman Contact: http://www.theplainsman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1880 Author: Loretta Nall Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) ILLEGAL DRUGS MORE ATTRACTIVE Editor, The Auburn Plainsman: I have been reading with interest the many stories about the "Meth" epidemic in our state. Meth is a devastating drug that consumes its users lives, ravages their bodies and endangers the community. The reason that meth has become so popular is because it only stays in your system for 72 hours thus diminishing the risk of failing a urine test. The natural non-addictive herb marijuana can be detected for 45 days. People can cook up a brew of toxic chemicals quicker and more covertly than they can tend to a garden of beautiful healthy herbs. When will our society realize that the more we criminalize marijuana the greater the likelihood of harder drugs being introduced to the market becomes? Marijuana prohibition has consistently led to an increase in hard drug use and addiction, both here in the United States and in the many countries around the world to which the American drug war has been forcibly exported. Many developing nations found themselves without the economic power needed to preserve their native culture. The drug war has consistently failed for 30 years. It is time to try a new approach. Make marijuana legal and you diminish the meth problem. Loretta Nall president, Alabama Marijuana Party - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl