Pubdate: Wed, 31 Jan 2007
Source: Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan (SD)
Copyright: 2007 Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan
Contact:  http://www.yankton.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1046
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n071/a03.html
Author: Kirk Muse
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

A METH ALTERNATIVE

I'm writing about: "Meth Plague: Law Enforcement Sees No End To War 
On Meth" (Press & Dakotan, Jan. 20).

I have a simple solution that would eliminate 99 percent of the 
illegal methamphetamine labs. The solution is Desoxyn, the 
pharmaceutical form of methamphetamine legally available in local 
pharmacies for less than $2 per dose with a doctor's prescription. 
Start selling it at local pharmacies without a prescription with no 
questions asked to any adult just like we do with tobacco products.

Would we still have people addicted to methamphetamine? Yes. Would 
methamphetamine addicts need to rob or commit acts of prostitution to 
obtain money to buy their methamphetamine? No. Would the 
methamphetamine addicts prefer to purchase pure pharmaceutical grade 
of methamphetamine instead of methamphetamine manufactured with 
batteries and fertilizer? Yes.

When they re-legalized alcohol in 1933, it was not because they 
decided that alcohol was not so harmful after all, but rather because 
of the crime and corruption that alcohol prohibition caused. When 
they re-legalized alcohol in 1933, the illegal bathtub gin producers 
went out of business overnight for economic reasons and they have 
stayed out of the business for economic reasons. When they 
re-legalized alcohol in 1933, our overall crime rate declined 
substantially and our murder rate declined for 10 consecutive years.

Have we learned any lessons?

Not yet.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, AZ
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman