Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jun 2005
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: Chris Buors
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n882/a05.html?77579

REGULATE, DON'T PROHIBIT, DRUGS

Re: Report Says Competition Creates Gang Expansions, May 31, A3

Too bad News reporter Peter Crnogorac did not keep up the basic economics 
lesson in his recent report on gang activity in the Medicine Hat area.

Demand and supply are two basic economic lessons that come to play in the 
black market.

The basics are simple enough.

As long as there is a demand for pleasure, there will be somebody to supply 
it no matter what form it takes.

In southern Alberta's case, this demand is for crack cocaine.

Once the basics are mastered, it becomes evident regulation rather than 
prohibition is the proper policy if the state wants to control commerce.

Since the topic is gangs, there exists a blueprint on how to get rid of 
them already: repeal prohibition.

It worked to end gang violence associated with black market alcohol in the 
1930s.

Chris Buors

Winnipeg, Man.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom