Pubdate: Fri, 28 Sep 2001
Source: Macon Telegraph (GA)
Copyright: 2001 The Macon Telegraph Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.macontelegraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/667
Author: Steve Helms
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1706/a03.html

EDITORIAL ON THE MARK

Editorial on the mark Your editorial on Sept. 25, "Find a drug program that 
works and fund it," is right on the mark but could go further. 
Short-circuiting the cycle of drug dependence with treatment programs both 
inside and outside of the prison system is money well spent to reduce drug 
abuse in this country.

I would also ask that the laws in this country reflect the difference 
between soft and hard drugs --- which are often treated the same under both 
federal and state laws. Drugs like marijuana should be treated and taxed 
like alcohol. Alcohol is by far a more harmful drug than marijuana. 
Regulate marijuana sales (legally) and tax the sales to fund treatment 
programs for hard drugs. This not only allows law enforcement to 
concentrate on hard drugs but reduces the exposure of those who use 
marijuana to the black market sellers who also push the hard drugs.

Steve Helms, Southlake, Texas
- ---
MAP posted-by: Lou King