Pubdate: Sun, 05 Apr 2009 Source: Hendersonville Times-News (NC) Copyright: 2009 Hendersonville Newspaper Corporation Contact: http://www.blueridgenow.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/793 Author: Ralph Givens Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09.n361.a01.html DRCRIMINALZATION GIVES OUTLAWS CONTROL To The Editor: It is curious that Susan Lane never considers the one thing that would really solve the drug problem in Mexico - legalization. Decriminalization is a dead end street because it reduces penalties for drug users while leaving the drug business in the hands of outlaws. The decriminalization model being discussed is identical to the way alcohol prohibition worked - when Eliot Ness raided a speakeasy, the operators went to jail and the customers went home. This system enabled Al Capone and his ilk to violently control the bootleg booze market, the same way decriminalizing drugs will leave the drug cartels in control. The solution is to follow the pattern set after alcohol prohibition had proved to be a disaster - repeal and regulation. Repeal put the bootleggers out of business and we haven't had a bombing or a shoot out over a beer route since 1933. Ralph Givens Daly City, Calif. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin