Pubdate: Fri, 07 Sep 2012
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2012 The Arizona Republic
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Mike Ross
Page: B6

DRUG WAR WASTE OF FUNDS

Regarding "`Bath salts' battle" ( Thursday):

One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and
expecting different results.

In 1914, Congress made heroin and cocaine illegal. That law didn't
stop the use of heroin or cocaine, and any teenager can show you where
to buy heroin or coke at the local high school.

In 1920, Congress made liquor illegal. That law didn't stop the use of
liquor. Anybody in town could show you where the local speakeasy was
if you wanted to buy a shot of booze.

In 1937, Congress made marijuana illegal. That law didn't stop the use
of marijuana, and any teenager can show you where to buy marijuana at
the local high school.

In 2012, Arizona made "spice" and "bath salts" illegal. Of course,
that didn't stop the use of spice or bath salts and, again, ask your
teenager if you want to know where to purchase these illegal drugs.

Sure, using drugs is stupid, but thinking the government can prevent
people from using drugs that make them feel good is even stupider.

For the past 100 years, the drug war has been a dismal failure. It's
time to end the drug war and stop treating recreational use of drugs
as a criminal problem. The insane drug war is just a huge waste of
money that doesn't work.

Mike Ross, Tempe
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