Pubdate: Sat, 20 Oct 2007
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2007 The Arizona Republic
Contact:  http://www.arizonarepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Elizabeth W. Kempshall
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1144/a05.html?90538

DEA OFFICIAL: LEGALIZING POT NOT THE PATH TO TAKE

Regarding "It's time to consider legalizing marijuana" (Opinions, Oct. 5):

The Republic's Robert Robb suggests a simple solution for the complex 
problem of drug addiction . . . legalize and regulate the production 
and distribution of marijuana.

Would America be a better place if more people used marijuana? I 
don't think so.

Marijuana feeds addictions - so many that more teens enter treatment 
for marijuana dependence than for all other drugs combined.

Crime, violence and drug use go hand in hand. Six times as many 
homicides are committed by people under the influence of drugs as by 
those who are looking for money to buy drugs. A recent report by the 
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America stated that during the 
2005-06 school year, of those students who reported hurting others 
with a weapon at school, 68.4 percent had used marijuana.

Legalizing marijuana, giving it the government's stamp of approval, 
sends the message to kids that drug use is not only harmless but 
normal. This is precisely the opposite message we should be 
conveying, and will unquestionably increase usage. Let's not give up. 
We need to continue our efforts to reduce the demand for drugs and 
cut off the supply. Legalizing drugs is surrender.

When considering the legalization of any drug, ask yourself these 
questions: Don't the two most abused drugs in society, alcohol and 
tobacco (both of which are legalized and regulated) do enough damage? 
Isn't every life worth fighting for? I think so.

- - Elizabeth W. Kempshall, Phoenix

The writer is special agent in charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement 
Administration, in Phoenix.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom