Pubdate: Sat, 26 May 2012
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Dave Lane
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n289/a07.html

HUMAN HISTORY REVEALS DRUG USE WON'T GO AWAY

'Removing the desire to take drugs is the answer' ( Your Letters, May 22)

The answer for people like Connor Whelan is to become educated. Go to 
college and study history and human nature so you don't sound so foolish.

The facts are:

1. Humans have used mind altering drugs as long as we have been on the planet

2. Humans will continue to use mind altering drugs as long as we stay 
on the planet

3. Cultures that incorporate mind altering drugs into their societal 
norms via religion, shamanism, etc. do not have any problems with 
drug abuse or drug related crime

4. Before prohibition was dreamed up a hundred years ago the term 
"drug-related crime" did not exist

5. When all drugs were legal 4% of our population were addicts

6. Today 4% of our population are addicts

7. Prohibition causes more crime and human suffering than anything on 
the planet (although organized religion is in the race as well).

8. There will soon come a day when drug warriors are viewed the same 
way we view the witch hunters of 200 years ago.

Dave Lane

Santa Cruz, Calif.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom