Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jun 2004
Source: Valley Echo, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 The Valley Echo
Contact:  http://www.invermerevalleyecho.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2140
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n854/a08.html

LEGALIZATION WOULD END CRIMINAL REIGN

By Kirk Muse Mesa, AZ

Thanks for publishing Alan Randell's outstanding letter: "Drug laws 
archaic" (6-09-04).

I'd like to add that almost all of the problems we have will illegal drugs 
are because certain (politically selected) drugs are illegal.

Because certain drugs are illegal, they are of unknown quality, unknown 
purity and unknown potency. Just like alcohol was when it was illegal in 
the United States. And just like alcohol was when it was illegal, certain 
recreational drugs are untaxed, unregulated and controlled by criminal gangs.

Many judges and prison wardens have said that 70% to 90% of all violent 
crime and property crime is "drug-related." Actually almost 100% of our 
so-called "drug-related crime" is caused by drug prohibition policies. Not 
drugs.

When Coca-Cola contained cocaine instead of caffeine and sold for five 
cents a bottle, the term "drug-related crime" didn't exist.

Neither did drug lords, drug cartels or even drug dealers as we know them 
today.

If we re-legalized all types of recreational drugs and made them legally 
available in local licensed business establishments for pennies per dose, 
we would need far fewer law enforcement personnel, far fewer prison guards 
and no prison builders.

And many so-called 'drug warriors' would be looking for a job or washing 
cars for a living. Thus, their real concern for legalizing recreational drugs.
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