Pubdate: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 Source: Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK) Copyright: C2004 Muskogee Daily Phoenix Contact: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3319 Author: Dean Becker Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n1817.a09.html CURRENT SCENARIO WORST OF WORLDS The writer asked on Dec. 16, "How anyone could suggest the legalization of methamphetamine is a good idea?" By ending the prohibition of drugs, we will reduce crime in the United States by 50 percent in the first year. We will eliminate the reason for which most violent street gangs exist. If we were brave, we would immediately destroy the drug cartels that thrive in Colombia and Afghanistan. Without the impediment of drug prohibition, we would end accidental drug overdose deaths. We could redirect hundreds of billions of our precious tax dollars away from persecuting non-violent Americans to more worthwhile endeavors, like arresting the criminals and the terrorists that mean us harm. The U.S. military uses speed, pharmaceutical grade methamphetamine, to ensure their pilots are able to complete their long missions. The black market meth is made by untrained chemists, using fertilizer, batteries and cold pills. Speed is not a safe drug, but the current scenario is the worst of all worlds. Dean Becker Creator of Drug Truth Network, 20 broadcast affiliates in the United States and Canada, www.drugtruth.net (http://www.drugtruth.net) Houston, Texas - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin