Pubdate: Sat, 12 Nov 2005
Source: Herald-Dispatch, The (Huntington, WV)
Copyright: 2005 The Herald-Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.hdonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1454
Author: Don Smith

U.S. MUST LEGALIZE AND REGULATE DRUGS

Recently, while watching MSNBC-TV's Tucker Carlson, I was amazed at 
retired Seattle Police Chief Norm Stampler indicating that drugs 
should be legalized. This man was a policeman for 40-some years, and 
like him, I would agree the war on drugs is never going to be won. 
Decriminalizing drugs would in fact give the government more control 
of the drugs and, therefore, keep them out of the black market's hands.

Tobacco and alcohol contribute to a lot of deaths, and they are 
legal. While the black market controls drugs being sold on the 
street, it makes it so much easier for kids to get them. If drugs 
were legal and the government had a system like tobacco and alcohol, 
you would have to be 21 to purchase drugs. Our prisons are 
overcrowded, and for a land of the free, why are most of the 
population behind bars for drugs?

Since President Nixon, there has been a war on drugs. Wake up America 
- -- like Vietnam, it's a war being lost.

Don Smith

Huntington
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman