Pubdate: Sat, 10 Dec 2011
Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT)
Copyright: 2011 Robert Higgins
Contact:  http://www.sltrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383
Author: Robert Higgins

MEXICANS PAY OUR TAB

he United States is not paying the total cost for its stance on drugs.

If I were a widow of a Mexican law enforcement officer who was killed
by a drug gang, I would blame the United States for his death because
I just paid the real price for the U.S. drug demand.

A demand exists, and someone will always fill it. By making drugs
illegal, we have put the costs of filling that demand on Mexicans.

Do we blame the liquor store for a drunk?

If the United States were to legalize drugs and pay the full cost of
its addiction, the drug problem might go away faster than it is now
(if it is at all). I don't want to see drugs legalized, but it's hard
to think about all the people who have died on account of someone
else's problem.

Is it fair to ask Mexicans and Central Americans to pay our tab? I
think not.

Robert Higgins

Salt Lake City
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