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Pubdate: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 The Chilliwack Progress Contact: http://www.theprogress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562 Author: Tyson Campbell Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n469.a10.html MONEY WASTED ON DRUG 'PROHIBITION' In your editorial, "It's about the money" (Progress, March 18) you say that the legalization of marijuana is naive. I can't help but think that you have it backwards. It is time the prohibitionists were called to account for the abysmal mess drug use suppression has become. Millions and millions of dollars of taxpayer money has been spent by these people to what effect? Drug use is way up, especially with teenagers who are the last people you want to be doing drugs. It is time for the prohibitionists to prove that stiffer penalties help this situation because history is starting to make them look very bad. I have one question. Why does the Netherlands have such impressive teen use rates, while Canada and the U.S. do not? Smarten up people, there are kids doing this stuff. Tyson Campbell Edtior's Note: The writer misses my point. I said it was naive to suggest that the legalization of marijuana would end organized crime's involvement in the lucrative trade. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin