Pubdate: Wed, 02 Jul 2003
Source: Business Day (South Africa)
Copyright: 2003 Business Day.
Contact:  http://www.bday.co.za/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2925
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n973/a04.html

DO THE OPPOSITE

In response to "Drug abuse on the rise among teenagers" (June 27), it looks 
like SA is about to follow in the footsteps of the US in its battle against 
drugs. Do not do it! The US drug policy has been a complete and absolute 
disaster. The US has increased its drug enforcement budget by about 
300-fold in the past 33 years.

The net result: anybody in the US who wants drugs can still get them just 
as easily as in 1969.

No matter how much money we throw at the problem, we cannot nullify the 
basic economic law of supply and demand. As long as people want drugs and 
they are willing to pay for them, somebody will produce it and somebody 
will get it to the willing buyers. Guaranteed.

My advice to SA and the rest of the world: observe US drug policy then do 
the opposite.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Arizona
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart