Pubdate: Wed, 07 Jun 2006
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2006 The Sacramento Bee
Contact:  http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Note: Does not publish letters from outside its circulation area.
Author: Richard Markuson

DECOGESTANT DRUG WAR SILLINESS

Re "Limits imposed on decongestant sales," May 31: Government is 
convinced that it can repeal the law of supply and demand by making 
consumers of products containing psedoephedrine produce 
identification. While reducing the number of meth labs is a laudable 
goal, lab operators will not give up a very lucrative business 
because of this new policy. So long as there is a market for meth, 
there will be an economic incentive to supply it.

I do not suggest that society ignore or acquiesce to drug abuse. 
Education and treatment are critical, and we should do everything to 
help those who wish to stop destructive habits. But let's not delude 
ourselves by thinking that producing identification and keeping a log 
will change anything.

- - Richard Markuson, Sacramento
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom