Pubdate: Mon, 01 Nov 2004 Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL) Copyright: 2004 St. Petersburg Times Contact: http://connect.sptimes.com/contactus/letterstoeditor.html Website: http://www.sptimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419 Author: Stephen Heath Note: Hernando Edition Opinion page REGULATING DRUGS HAS BENEFITS Re: Drug sweeps target links, Oct. 26 Times: Editor: Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent would lead readers to believe the recent "major" cocaine bust will bring long-term beneficial results. In fact, within a few days, or a week at most, no one in the county who wants cocaine will have much trouble getting it. The obscene profits guaranteed by drug prohibition laws ensure that for every dealer busted, there will be plenty of eager replacements. It's reasonable to say Hernando County law enforcement has been making such busts routinely for more than 20 years. If cops haven't shut down the illegal cocaine trade in 20 years, how many more years will it take? The only way to put illegal dealers out of business is to legalize currently illicit drugs and create a regulated market that can be easily monitored by police. While the market for cocaine is relatively small, leaving control of distribution in the hands of criminals guarantees long-term problems that will never be solved, regardless of how many busts the cops make. Illegal drug dealers actively sell to minors. They commit violent acts in our neighborhoods and tie up thousands of police man-hours as officers try to smoke out the principal players. Legal drug dealers - as demonstrated by regulated pharmacies, alcohol and tobacco dealers - are little problem to monitor. Legal dealers do not commit violence in our neighborhoods and they do not sell to kids. Most important, they do not tie up valuable police time that could be better used on projects that create legitimate, long-term results. It's time to legalize drugs, for the sake of our children and for the safety of our neighborhoods. STEPHEN HEATH Florida Office Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Clearwater - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFLorida)