Pubdate: Mon, 13 Sep 1999
Date: 09/13/1999
Source: Wall Street Journal (NY)
Author: Thomas R. Gildersleeve
Note: The original letter was by Randi (not "Robin" Givens). It had
prompted a response from Jim Heim, which has resulted in three more
anti-prohibition rebuttals.

Original Givens Letter: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n966.a05.html
Heims Letter:  http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n956.a03.html

Mr. Heim wonders who's going to pay for all the medical and social
problems of drug users if drug prohibition is removed. Does he think
that because drugs are currently prohibited these problems don't now
exist? We have to pay these costs regardless. The point of removing
prohibition is that it will remove the cost of the criminal activity
now associated with the underground production and distribution of
drugs. In addition, with an open market, we can begin to realistically
assess and take steps to reduce the use of drugs, just as we now do
with the use of tobacco.

Thomas R. Gildersleeve
Norwalk, Conn.