Pubdate: Fri, 04 May 2012
Source: Burnaby Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.burnabynow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1592
Author: Garth M. Evans

TIME TO LEGALIZE AND TAX DRUGS

Dear Editor:

I see where Prime Minister Harper has been discussing problems 
respecting illegal drugs with the presidents of the United States and 
Mexico. The only solution to this problem is to legalize, control and 
tax all illegal or restricted drugs.

The government should control the production and distribution of such 
drugs and tax them so that the cost is significant but less than 
being charged by illegal sources.

I think distribution should be through government drug stores, and 
free counselling could be provided for anyone wanting help with 
getting off drugs. I don't use illegal drugs and would prefer that no 
one did, but trying to prevent or even control their use in the 
current regime is hopeless. It didn't work for alcohol during 
prohibition, and there is no chance it will work now for drugs.

The current arrangement wastes so many resources and ruins so many 
lives. Let's try something different.

Garth M. Evans,

Burnaby
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart