Pubdate: Thu, 12 Jul 2007
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2007 The Dallas Morning News
Contact:  http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n812/a01.html?66641
Author: Gene Johnson

WAR ON DRUGS, NOT DRUGS, IS WHAT CAUSES CRIME

Re: "At the End of the Line - There are hidden costs of recreational 
drug use," Sunday Editorials.

The problem isn't the drugs but the war on specific drugs; your list 
reflects your bias and little else. Marijuana is at the top of the 
illegal list and has never killed anyone, is non-addictive and has 
legitimate medical applications.

Practically every person in this country buys, sells or uses some 
kind of drug, legal or otherwise. We self-medicate for a variety of 
reasons - some for health and others just for recreation. But using 
drugs for any purpose carries risks. Just listen to the side effects 
listed by prescription commercials.

If you really want to cripple street gangs and drug cartels, take 
away their main source of income. Stop putting people in prison for 
buying or selling drugs. Criminal organizations are funded solely by 
the war on drugs, not the drugs themselves.

Gene Johnson, Dallas
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