Pubdate: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 Source: Charleston Gazette (WV) Copyright: 2000 Charleston Gazette Website: http://www.wvgazette.com/ Feedback: http://www.wvgazette.com/static/Forum.html Address: 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301 Email: West Virginia Fax: (304) 348-1233 Author: Larry White FAILED DRUG WAR AT ROOT OF CRIME Editor: Here we go again. Bill Clinton is proposing gun control after an unfortunate and tragic incident. Guns are not the problem. Incompetent gun owners and criminals are to blame. To take it a step further, big government's failed social programs and the failed war on drugs are at the root of most of the violent crime in this nation. Safety and moral values cannot be legislated. Safety and morals are a personal responsibility. I would assume that more kids are killed by other weapons, including knives, clubs, chains, human hands, etc. I would like to see the statistics. How many teen-agers carry a pocketknife in the high schools of West Virginia? Medical accidents kill more people than all gun incidents, accidental and criminal. The wrath of nature takes a few, also. Can we legislate the weather? Tragedy is a law of nature. It will always be with us. Do not let politicians use tragedies to destroy our liberties. Prohibition was overturned because of the organized crime and violence that were its side effects. The war on drugs has the same effects. Legalize the drugs so only adults can legally purchase and use them. I guarantee that violent crime would decrease dramatically. Larry White Beckley - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk