Pubdate: Mon, 06 Dec 2004 Source: Courier-Journal, The (KY) Copyright: 2004 The Courier-Journal Contact: http://www.courier-journal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/97 Author: James Cahall GET RID OF MOTIVE, LEGALIZE DRUGS Recent stories about crimes/deaths show drugs as a major motive. We need to learn a lesson from history. Prohibition also resulted in crime, and no Eliot Ness will solve today's problems. Legalizing drugs will. My grown children were incredulous of this stance, but here it is: The potency of drugs can be controlled. No more overdoses. Prices can be reduced, taking away the crime motive. Dispensing drugs from sanitary facilities would reduce the spread of AIDS, etc. Taking away the clandestine activities would reduce the attractiveness to many who try to "get away with it." Some who want to get off drugs could be weaned by dispensing controlled dosages. I've always thought we send a lot of money out of the country that we should keep here. Put drug enforcers on other crimes. JAMES CAHALL Louisville 40299 - --- MAP posted-by: Beth