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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom