Pubdate: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 Source: Daily Southtown (IL) Copyright: 2006 Daily Southtown Contact: http://www.dailysouthtown.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/810 Author: Joel Nosek SHAME ON GIERACH According to guest writer James Gierach's column (March 16), if "drug prohibition" (his expression) is trashed, street gangs will go away, the murder rate will plummet, our prisons will be empty - ah, utopia. But wait, "One-note Jimmy" doesn't want to eliminate illicit drugs entirely, but to control and regulate the manufacture, sale and distribution of narcotics. Maybe set up government-run drugstores? Drug users could do a daily shopping trip to the "drugstore." Hey, bring the kids and Aunt Auntie along, too. I say that in jest. In all sincerity, I say to James Gierach, shame on you for using the recent shooting deaths of the two young girls in Englewood as a lead-in to promote your drug culture beliefs. Joel Nosek Midlothian - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman