Pubdate: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 Source: New Haven Register (CT) Copyright: 2000, New Haven Register Contact: http://www.ctcentral.com/cgi-bin/w3com/start?ctcentral+FrontPage Forum: http://www.ctcentral.com/ Author: Edward Pocengal FACE REALITY, GIVE UP ON PROHIBITION The problem of drug dealing, on the streets of Fair Haven or elsewhere, is directly a result of drug prohibition. Just as alcohol prohibition led to bootlegging, organized crime, adulterated booze, and unregulated alcohol sales, so the current prohibition of some drugs has had the same crime-promoting effects. Prohibition does not work, it never has, and it never will. Ita s time to decriminalize drug use and regulate drug sales. Sgt. Eric Stevens is correct in stating that "nobody will be selling if therea re no customers." However, there is a very strong demand for currently illegal drugs, which law enforcement will never be able to control. At some point, reality must intrude, and the "war on drugs" must be recognized as a complete failure. Edward Pocengal New Haven - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart