Pubdate: Sat, 14 Apr 2012
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Todd Maddison
Contact:  http://www.utsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Author: Todd Maddison

LEGALIZE DRUGS

I don't often agree with George Will, but his column on drug
legalization ("Legalizing drugs," April 13) was the most coherent
argument I've ever read on this topic.

Often a case is made that "drugs cause violence," and current drug
laws are needed to reduce that violence. It is now obvious that this
is not working, and the result is just an ever-escalating arms race
between law enforcement and the cartels.

Did we learn anything from the "great experiment" of Prohibition? We
know that Prohibition did little to reduce alcohol use but did much to
drive the rise of organized crime - an effect we've been living with
ever since. Last year's Ken Burns special on this should be required
viewing by anyone who does not understand that cause and effect
relationship.

Prohibition was and is a dumb idea.

Drugs do not cause violence, money does. Even the street corner thug
who steals a purse from Grandma "because he's on drugs" is not
stealing because he expects to find drugs in that purse, he expects to
find money there. And the money he's paying is mostly flowing straight
through to the organizations responsible for the violence that is
doing so much damage to Mexican and American society.

Legalize it, regulate it, tax it. Enforce existing laws on public use,
intoxication, and driving. Put a small fraction of the money we're now
spending on enforcement into treatment programs and we'll all be better off.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, let's fix
this one soon. -

Todd Maddison
Oceanside
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D