Pubdate: Fri, 24 Nov 2006
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Charles Gorrie
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

LEGALIZE DRUGS TO REDUCE CRIME

It is time to protect the innocent from crimes related to drug 
addiction. I added up my costs from crimes likely linked to 
addiction: Three new convertible tops, $3,000; the leather interior 
of my car stolen, $7,000; and, most recently, $4,000 after an 
unsuccessful crowbar assault on a door. All were covered by 
insurance, but what a waste.

During Prohibition in the United States the ban on alcohol created 
the same mayhem. Only legalizing it put the gangsters out of business.

We now have legalized alcohol, cigarettes, gambling and prostitution. 
We are left with all the associated health problems, but nobody 
breaks into a car to get money to buy a bottle of booze or cigarettes.

Adults can choose to use drugs or not. Use them and you might 
eventually die as a result, just as with legal cigarettes and alcohol 
if they are abused.

Cheap, legal drugs would protect the innocent from crime and our 
troops in Afghanistan from a war where the Taliban finance their 
forces with drug money. Drug dealers would be out of business.

I am not recommending that anybody use drugs or for that matter 
become an alcoholic. I want to stop the mayhem and protect the innocent.

Charles Gorrie

Victoria.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman