Pubdate: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 Source: Tribune-Democrat, The (PA) Copyright: 2008 The Tribune-Democrat Contact: http://www.tribune-democrat.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4063 Author: Howard J. Wooldridge Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n1150/a02.html IT'S TIME TO REPEAL PROHIBITION ON DRUGS (Regarding "Cocaine threat growing; Heroin also major problem here, authorities say," The Tribune-Democrat, Dec. 21:) During my 18 years of police service, I learned that the use of alcohol was the No. 1 cause of police calls. With all due respect to my colleague, (Somerset County Drug Task Force coordinator) Detective Jason Hunter, the use of heroin never generated a police call for service. He was probably referring to the need for heroin addicts to steal, because instead of paying a dollar per day for heroin, addicts need a hundred times that. Ditto cocaine. Will we ever be as wise as our grandparents and repeal our prohibition? It would certainly eliminate the crime and violence associated with the black market. You have a drug problem? See a doctor or die. Howard J. Wooldridge Frederick, Md. Editor's note: The writer is an education specialist in Washington, D.C., for Medford, Mass.-based Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com). - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin