Pubdate: Thu, 12 Apr 2007
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2007 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n455/a01.html
Author: George Kosinski

DRUG REGULATION, NOT PROHIBITION

Re: Police 'Violence' & The Hells Angels, letter, April 10; Drugs and The
Hells Angels, letter, April 7.

The main point I was trying to make in my April 7 letter -- a point
that I feel was lost in the Post's editing process -- was that we need
to regulate all drugs, just as we now regulate tobacco, alcohol and
prescription drugs.

As well as being a reasonably effective means of social control, this
would eliminate a major source of income for organized crime, which is
thriving in spite of all the police raids.

My point wasn't to defend the Hells Angels, but to point out the
futility of drug prohibition and the police violence it engenders.
Surely Wally Keeler, who wrote the April 10 letter disagreeing with
mine, would agree that a more peaceful society is desirable.

On the other hand, he appears oblivious to the threat to democracy
posed not only by drug prohibition itself, but also by the many
special laws related to that prohibition.

George Kosinski, Gibsons, B.C.