Pubdate: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA) Copyright: 2005 Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Contact: http://triblive.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460 Author: Tom Angell Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n049/a05.html DATELINE ON DRUGS The anonymous author of the Dateline D.C. column reveals great ignorance of drug war economics in his latest piece, "The needle and the damage done" (Opinion and Commentary, Jan. 9). By highlighting the connection between drug distribution and terrorism, the author unwittingly makes the case for ending prohibition. The war on drugs makes easily producible substances literally worth more than their weight in gold, and turns over their production and distribution to criminals and terrorists. By regulating drugs, the government would immediately eliminate a major terrorism funding source. Tom Angell Washington, D.C. The writer is communications director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (www.ssdp.org). - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake