Pubdate: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Craig Stephens Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) PROHIBITION A PROVEN MISTAKE The definition of insanity is to repeat the same action over and over and expect different results. Life sentences and tougher prohibition worked really well on cocaine, heroin, alcohol, marijuana and ecstasy, so it makes perfect sense to apply these proven tactics to crystal meth. Paternalistic governments the world over seem to have a problem grasping the simple fact that prohibition adds glamour to the mundane. Sell all drugs like cigarettes with warnings on the package. Eliminate the profit, eliminate the crime. Eliminate the prohibition, eliminate the "coolness" factor. Tax consumption, pay for education. People will tend to do what they want regardless of the law. Better to tax the hell out of these drugs rather than pay for dealers' jail time and legal bills. Craig Stephens Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Beth