Pubdate: Tue, 19 Oct 2004
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Jim White
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1401/a05.html

DRUGS: PROOF EVERYWHERE

Dear Editor,

A recent writer wondered about "proof" that drug legalization or regulation 
would coincide with a decrease in crime [Legalization results without 
proof, Oct. 1 Letters to the Editor, Langley Advance News].

The writer gets credit for his critical thinking, but not historical research.

Historical evidence, including the regulation of alcohol and many 
once-legal-but-now-illegal products, demonstrates that the black market, 
which arises immediately after a thing is outlawed, gives rise to violence 
as the items become more and more valuable and suppliers fight to maintain 
profits.

Historical evidence exists with drugs themselves. Once, all drugs were 
legal, and there were no organized crime rings distributing and profiting 
from them. Cannabis was grown and processed and sold as medicine, as were 
poppies and dozens of other "drugs."

No sooner were these drugs outlawed than violent black marketing appeared 
to distribute them - and still remains to this day.

Legalization or regulation of soft drugs like cannabis, and the 
medicalization of hard drugs, won't solve all of humanity's problems with 
crime, but according to historical evidence, it will help, while at the 
same time allowing us to more appropriately deal with drug addiction and 
disease.

It is time for something different, because prohibition has failed to 
eliminate or significantly reduce crime or drug addiction.

Jim White
Oregon, Ohio, USA 
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