Pubdate: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Copyright: 2009 Chicago Tribune Company Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/IuiAC7IZ Website: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/82 Author: John Hayward Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n216/a09.html DRUG REGULATION I did not read Steve Chapman's war on drug editorial, "Reality intrudes on the drug war," (Editorial, Feb.15) but I did read Thomas Sullivan and Ted Manuel letters agreeing with Chapman's column. I have to disagree with their conclusions. I am proof of the winning of battles in the war on drugs. I was a teenager in the 70's and smoked pot daily. I dealt some to support my habit and moved up to cocaine in the college years. It was a couple of close calls that scared me out of the lifestyle, and in looking back, it was no life at all. It would be a serious mistake to take any regulation off these life ruining substances and further add to the decay of our nation. The logic of equating drugs to the alcohol Prohibition years is flawed, in that alcohol was legal before Prohibition. The problem came from trying to stuff the cat back into the bag. John Hayward Joliet, Ill. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin