Pubdate: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2011 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Reet Pippin Note: Title by newshawk PROHIBITION NEVER WORKED Prohibition never worked. The stress on criminalizing salvia divinorum is a terrible idea, and the reasons stated for the criminalization are weak, at best. People have the right to affect their bodies in any way that they would like, and if one were to point out that by using drugs, people damage their bodies and incur health-care costs, one would have to open their eyes to the demon that is alcohol, before their points could be taken with even a grain of seriousness. People have the right to expand their minds through mind-altering substances. Our pharmaceutical industries encourage psychological alteration through chemical drugs that, coincidentally, produce a hefty profit. The hypocrites in the war against drugs need to relax and stop treating citizens like incapable children. REET PIPPIN Winnipeg - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom