Pubdate: Sun, 18 Apr 2004
Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
Copyright: 2004 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428
Author: David Polewka
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

WAR ON DRUGS DISTORTS THE MARKETPLACE

If you search google.com with the keywords "identity theft drug addicts," 
you will find that, by far, most ID theft is committed by methamphetamine 
users.

This is a direct result of the War on Drugs, which distorts the 
marketplace, making drugs more expensive and forcing addicts to become 
criminals to support their habit. It is just another in a long list of 
unintended consequences of people trying to play God, instead of letting 
God be God.

Another notable market distortion due to the War on Drugs is the fact that 
opium is the No. 1 cash crop in Afghanistan, where the cash can be used to 
finance terrorists. We need to stop playing God and legalize drugs, just as 
we legalized alcohol.

David Polewka, Chapel Hill
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager