Pubdate: Wed, 29 Dec 2004
Source: Herald-Dispatch, The (Huntington, WV)
Copyright: 2004 The Herald-Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.hdonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1454
Author: Charles R. Shaffer
Referenced:  http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n1743.a01.html

LEGALIZING DRUGS WON'T FIX PROBLEM

This letter is in reference to one titled "Failed drug war just fuels
crime" published Dec. 5.

It would appear that the person from "Common Sense for Drug Policy"
lacks the very thing that he represents. He wants to legalize all
illegal drugs and tries to legitimize the thought by saying "how much
money we can make" and "how it will be taken out of the hands of
organized crime."

What he fails to recognize is that organized crime will not go away
and that the money to try and clean people up will far exceed the
profit to be made.

A person cannot put a value on a life or the consequences of the
damage-riddled body from drug abuse. The reason that our nation is in
such disarray about what to do, is that we have forgotten or forsaken
values. As far as I am concerned, I wish we would make alcohol and
tobacco products illegal. These two legal drugs have done more to
damage and destroy homes and lives than I want to think about. It is
time for common sense based upon values.

Charles R. Shaffer President

Drug Prevention Ministries

Kenova
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin