Pubdate: Wed, 27 May 2009 Source: Christian Science Monitor (US) Copyright: 2009 The Christian Science Publishing Society Contact: http://www.csmonitor.com/cgi-bin/encryptmail.pl?ID=CFF0C5E4 Website: http://www.csmonitor.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/83 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n555/a03.html Author: Cynthia Clague REASONS TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA The fact is, criminalizing marijuana has not made it unavailable to young people. Just as criminalizing alcohol added a layer of violence and crime in the 1930s, so has criminalizing all drugs. What your editorial fails to consider is that legalizing drugs could be done with many restrictions on age and access, while spending much of the revenue on treatment and education, rather than spending tax money on policing and prisons. There will always be a market for these substances. Let's spend our resources on education, treatment, and creating other opportunities for young people. Cynthia Clague Eugene, Ore. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake