Pubdate: Mon, 28 Jun 1999
Source: Wall Street Journal (NY)
Copyright: 1999 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com
Author: Richard Marchese
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n621/a02.html and
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n554/a08.html

DARE TO SEE DRUG WAR AS ANOTHER PROHIBITION

Steve Dnistrian, executive vice president of Partnership for a Drug-Free
America, writes that advocates for changing drug laws focus only on what's
wrong with the fight against drugs (Letters to the Editor, June 105). In
light of dramatic declines in drug use and crime, it would be helpful if
more people examined what went right, and why. Mr. Dnistrian ignores the
incredibly low unemployment rate as the real cause for the drop in crime.
The fact that more folks are not using drugs puts the lie to the
prohibitionist fear-mongering that addiction will go out of control if we
return to a policy of liberty, freedom and the pursuit of happiness for all.

The sickness of prohibition is the real horror in America today.
Prohibitionist rantings are not worth one of our rights, yet prohibitionists
claim ownership over our bodies, the power to force us to strip bare for
their insidious inspections. Your money, belongings, car, indeed your home,
can be confiscated by them, without even a trial or proof of guilt. All the
prohibitionist need do is "suspect."

Richard Marchese, Fairfield, N.J.

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