Pubdate: Tue, 29 June1999
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 1999 Los Angeles Times.
Contact:  (213) 237-4712
Website: http://www.latimes.com/
Forum: http://www.latimes.com/home/discuss/
Author: Lucy Cole

DRUG PROHIBITION

In your June 26 editorial, "Be Civil, or Else," you point out the futility
of laws trying to legislate morality. You note very clearly that
"prohibition against drinking alcohol created a new class of criminals but
did little to instill virtue." You neglected to mention the obvious sequel:
Prohibition against drugs has created a huge new class of criminals, while
doing nothing to instill virtue or civility. Instead, the cost of
incarcerating these "criminals" has cost taxpayers billions of dollars that
would be much more effective if spent on education and treatment.

Lucy Cole 
Eagle Rock 
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