Pubdate: Thu, 16 Sep 2004
Source: Pitch, The (Kansas City, MO)
Copyright: 2004 New Times, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.pitch.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1120
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1244/a05.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STRAIGHT DOPE

I'm writing about Nadia Pflaum's outstanding story: " Buzzkill! 
(http://www.pitch.com/issues/2004-09-02/news/feature.html)"

Common sense tells us that the DARE program should deter our youth from 
using illegal drugs. But it doesn't. DARE graduates are more likely to use 
illegal drugs -- not less.

Common sense tells us that the Earth is the center of the universe and our 
solar system. But it's not.

Common sense tells us that prohibiting a product should substantially 
reduce the use of the product that's prohibited. Actually, prohibition 
tends to substantially increase the desire for the product that's prohibited.

Before marijuana was criminalized in the U.S. via the Marijuana Tax Act of 
1937, the vast majority of Americans had never heard of marijuana. Now 
everybody in the U.S. knows what marijuana is, and the U.S. government 
estimates that at least 76 million Americans have used it. About half of 
all high school students will use marijuana before they graduate.

People want what they are told they cannot have -- especially children. The 
lure of the "forbidden fruit" is very powerful.

Kirk Muse Mesa, Arizona
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D