Pubdate: Fri, 25 May 2007 Source: Oak Bay News (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Oak Bay News Contact: http://www.oakbaynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1346 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n625/a04.html Author: Alan Randell LEGAL DRUGS THE ANSWER Re: "Treat the problem" (editorial, May 18). Answers are indeed in short supply about how to deal with "career criminals who steal from honest hardworking folks because the crooks need to feed their drug habits." That's because newspapers such as yours are extremely reluctant to suggest what would be the most effective answer: ending drug prohibition. Legalizing drugs will reduce the costs of currently illegal drugs so much that many more users will be able to finance their habit with their own money, just as alcohol and tobacco users currently do, rather than by stealing from others. Alan Randell Victoria