Pubdate: Wed, 31 May 2006 Source: Baltimore Sun (MD) Copyright: 2006 The Baltimore Sun, a Times Mirror Newspaper. Contact: http://www.baltimoresun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37 Author: Manfred Smith Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n663/a08.html PROHIBITING DRUGS LIMITS OUR FREEDOM I applaud Steve Chapman's call for decriminalizing drug use ("The phony threat of liberal drug laws," Opinion * Commentary, May 22). Prohibition did not work for alcohol, and it is not working for illegal drugs today. Decriminalizing drug use would free the police to fight real crime and might also save thousands of young men who die as a result of the illicit drug trade each year. More important, America was founded on the principle of individual rights - and adult citizens have the right to ingest whatever they choose. Manfred Smith Columbia - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman