Pubdate: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 Source: Johnson City Press (TN) Copyright: 2003 Johnson City Press and Associated Press Contact: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983 Author: Kirk Muse, http://www.mapinc.org/writers/Kirk+Muse Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1368/a05.html METH LAB LAW EDITOR: I'm writing about: "Sheriffs To Ask For Tougher Meth-Making Penalties" (9-11-03). There's one law, if passed by Congress, that would completely put the illegal meth labs out of business overnight. That would be a law making pharmaceutical grade amphetamines legally available in local pharmacies for pennies per dose. Ninety years ago when all types of recreational drugs were legally available in local pharmacies for pennies per dose, we didn't have clandestine drug labs or drug related crime. And drug dealers, as we know them today, didn't exist. When alcohol prohibition ended in 1933, 100 percent of the "bathtub gin" producers went out of business for economic reasons and they have stayed out of the business for economic reasons. When alcohol prohibition ended in 1933, the U. S. murder rate declined for 10 consecutive years. Have we learned any lessons? Not yet. KIRK MUSE Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake