Pubdate: Mon, 09 May 2005
Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
Copyright: 2005 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428
Author: Martin Eagle
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n718/a06.html?58500

WAR ON DRUGS MISGUIDED

The Herald-Sun on May 4 had a front page story about the connection between 
marijuana use and mental illness.

While the text pointed out that the study cited did not establish a causal 
connection, your headline implied it and our nation's drug "czar" is 
certainly assuming it. While not advocating their use, here are a few 
interesting facts about drugs.

Of all abused drugs, the two most lethal and costly to society are also 
legal, alcohol and tobacco. All of the social costs of illegal drugs, 
including death, disease, accidents, lost productivity, etc. are so small 
compared to the two legal ones, as to be non-existent, particularly 
marijuana who's negative social costs are comparatively nil. Despite this, 
about 80 percent or more of law enforcement money is spent on drug related 
activity, all of which has proven useless as drug use has either risen or 
remained steady -- depending on the substance -- all during the war on drugs.

The only effect of this war has been to increase the profits of those in 
the drug business, including law enforcement. Further, virtually every 
government in the world, especially ours, is actively involved in the 
illegal drug trade.

This has been amply documented in the congressional record and on the front 
pages of our major newspapers. We even went so far as to hire Klaus Barbie, 
an infamous Nazi, to oust a legitimate Bolivian government which threatened 
the cocaine business we profited from -- again, amply documented. The war 
on drugs benefits only the dealers and law enforcement, while the rest of 
us pay.

MARTIN EAGLE, Bahama May 9, 2005
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom