Pubdate: Sun, 09 Sep 2001
Source: Daily Gazette (NY)
Copyright: 2001 The Gazette Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.dailygazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/105
Author: Bill St. Clair
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1572/a10.html?1306

TIME TO SCRAP FAILED U.S. DRUG LAWS

The Aug. 26 issue contained a column by David Broder, "Time to re-evaluate 
war on drugs." Nope. We've had plenty of time to evaluate it.

The war on some drugs is an unmitigated disaster, a complete and utter 
failure. It has ruined the lives of millions of peaceful Americans while 
shredding our Bill of Rights. It pours hundreds of billions of dollars 
annually into the pockets of organized criminals. Since black market 
substances are subject to no regulations on purity or labeling, bad drugs 
kill thousands every year.

It's time to end this insanity, free all the prisoners of war, offer 
realistic information to prevent people from taking drugs in the first 
place, and provide voluntary treatment to help them when they decide to stop.

Asa Hutchinson should be directed to administer the complete shutdown of 
the Drug Enforcement Agency. The Office of National Drug Policy should be 
eradicated. Adults own their bodies. What they choose to ingest is nobody's 
business. Personal responsibility works. Give it a try.

BILL St. CLAIR,
New Lebanon
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