Pubdate: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 Source: Standard-Examiner (UT) Copyright: 2009 Ogden Publishing Corporation Contact: http://www.standard.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/421 Author: Roger Carrier THE GREATEST NIGHTMARE The greatest nightmare of the drug lords is the legalization of drugs in the United States. Every night, they pray that we will continue our stupid policies. That said, I want it noted that I do not smoke, drink, or use drugs. I'm a health nut, and I believe that all drugs are harmful. But the stupid war on drugs is putting every American at risk! Ninety percent of all burglaries are for the purpose of getting money for drugs. Most shootings and murders are also tied to drugs. By making them illegal, we keep the price high and force people to steal to supply their addiction. Very few users want to commit crimes. They do it to get the drug. If they could get their fix for a minimal cost, they would not commit those crimes. What we need are clinics all over America where you can register your name, watch a ten-minute anti-drug film, sign a liability release, and then be allowed to purchase for five dollars any drug that you want. We would be in a position to steer people away from the worst drugs and reduce disease. I know a woman who smokes one half of a marijuana cigarette each night before bed. She has a job and pays taxes. Someday she is going to be arrested, lose her job, and the taxpayers are going pay the double bill of jail and lost taxes. Marijuana use has damaged her memory, but can I stop her from smoking that garbage? No. State-run drug clinics would not solve all drug problems, but they would be many times better than what we have now--a war on innocent non-drug-using Americans. Roger Carrier Sandy - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin