Pubdate: Sat, 10 Jan 2004
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2004 East Valley Tribune.
Contact:  http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Kirk Muse

CRIMINALIZING DRUGS EXACERBATES PROBLEM

To be successful in any endeavor, one should do what successful people
do and avoid doing what unsuccessful people do.  This principle hold
true for individuals, businesses and governments.

About 10 years ago, both Oklahoma and Missouri starting having meth
problems that Arizona is now experiencing.  The solution that law
enforcement and legislatures decided upon was to get really tough on
meth producers and users.

Since then both states have had some of the toughest anti-meth laws in
the country.  The net result:  meth use and production is now at
record levels in both states and dozens of others.

Increasing law enforcement efforts only make the product more
profitable. No product or business can be eliminated by making it more
profitable.

Prohibition doesn't work.  It never has and never will, except to
assure full employment for those doing the prohibiting.  The solution
to our meth problem is to make pure pharmaceutical grade amphetamines
legally available in local pharmacies for pennies per dose.  This
would put the meth producers out of business in a heartbeat.

When all types of recreational drugs were legally available in local
pharmacies for pennies per dose, the term "drug-related crime" didn't
exist.

Neither did drug lords, drug cartels or drug dealers as we know them
today.  These were all created by our drug criminalization policies--
not drugs.

Kirk Muse

Mesa
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin