Pubdate: Sat, 15 Dec 2001
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66\
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n2054/a06.html?1247
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n2044/a10.html?1247
Author: Chris Buors
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

FREE TO BE ILL

Re: "Unecstatic," Letter, Dec. 11.

Now that Dr. Scott Patten has told us all about the dangers of the chemical 
substance 3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, perhaps he can tell us about 
how prohibition ensures that street drugs are even more harmful because 
there is no regulation and no one knows what substances are being used.

Next, Patten can perhaps tell us why dangerous substances such as rat 
poison and bleach are legal while politically designated "dangerous drugs" 
are not? Just because a substance is dangerous does not mean its use ought 
to be prohibited. The truth is that if bleach and strychnine were 
prohibited, people would concoct their own substances, leading to an even 
more dangerous underground situation.

It ought to be of no concern to the state if a free man wants to eat 
poison. If I do my body harm, it is I who pay and not the state.

Chris Buors, Winnipeg, Man.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl