Pubdate: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 Source: Red and Black, The (U of Georgia, GA Edu) Copyright: 2006 The Red and Black Publishing Co., Inc. Contact: http://apps.ugatoday.com/forms/letter.php Website: http://www.redandblack.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2800 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1634/a08.html Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1627/a01.html Author: Allison Myrden Note: Title by MAP LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION Having read Bethany Kirkpatrick's editorial today entitled "Attack Plan for Drug War is Idealistic" I had to respond. Andrew Muchmore was more than practical and actually very informed in his article and I want people to know why. I am a retired Law Enforcement Officer and one of the most vocal speakers for LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and I would like you all to know something very important. According to a 1980 Study entitled "The Fact About Drug Abuse, "Psychoactive substances have been available throughout recorded history and will remain so. To try to eliminate them is completely unrealistic." Our vulnerable will always be a target until drugs are taken off of the street and that power from the Gangs and the criminals driving the prices up and the quality down, is taken away. This is the idea behind what we at LEAP propose. In order for our young people and our vulnerable to not become a statistic in this drug war we need to do one thing: Legalize and regulate all drugs so that these societal groups are not in harm's way. It is our only solution. Sincerely, Allison Myrden Burlington, Ontario, Canada Criminology Speaker for LEAP: Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake