Pubdate: Wed, 18 Sep 2002
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: Jose Melendez
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1719/a05.html

STOP WAR ON DRUGS

I would like to point out to Dr. Colin R. Mangham that jailing users is not 
effective as a solution to drug use. The policy is in place only because 
those creating such laws are not in that social group.

During Prohibition, gangsters on both sides of the law were guaranteed 
ever-increasing stores of cash, weapons and funding.

Perhaps if the good doctor is so interested in protecting society from 
dangerous and addictive drugs he should promote incarceration as an 
automatic penalty for any and all nicotine and caffeine use.

While we are at it, shall we start busting down the doors of churches that 
celebrate with wine as a sacrament?

Laws specifically against cannabis use are themselves a crime against 
humanity. They continue to be wildly popular because they restrict other, 
less politically connected groups. It is high time that the war on (some) 
drugs is exposed as fraud, and arrested.

Better hurry, Doc, before they come after your Ritalin, Prozac and Valium 
peddling industry.

Jose Melendez, DeLand, Fla.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D