Pubdate: Wed, 21 Aug 2002
Source: Taber Times, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 The Taber Times
Contact:  http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/ttimes/home/index.php
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2262
Author: Alan Randell

OUR DRUG LAWS CAN HURT US MORE

Editor:

Re: dope find leads to jail time, Aug. 14

Why do governments prohibit certain drugs?

Is it to protect users from harm?

No, that can't be the reason because users suffer more (adulterated drugs 
and jail time) when a drug is banned as compared to when it is legally 
available. My wife and I became well acquainted with this aspect of 
government policy when we lost our 19-year-old son to street heroin in 
1993. Besides, two of our more dangerous drugs, alcohol and tobacco, are legal.

Is it to reduce the crime associated with illegal drugs?

No, that can't be the reason because banning a drug always gives rise to 
MORE crime (drug cartels, petty crimes by users as prohibition makes drug 
prices much higher, violent disputes between dealers) than when the drug is 
legally available.

Is it a bid to distract attention away from more important issues by 
conducting a brutal, Hitler-like program to ruin the lives of the innocent 
few who ingest or sell certain drugs -- with the additional "benefit" of 
allowing our politicians and cops the pleasure of strutting and swaggering 
before us as they "declare war" on this drug or that, promising to ride out 
like St. George and slay the fearsome and deadly dragon of drugs while 
sticking the taxpayer with the cost of bigger budgets for our police?

Bingo!

Alan Randell, Victoria, B.C.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager