Pubdate: Fri, 27 Apr 2001
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.uniontrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Author: Dan Litwin
Note: Headline by newshawk

A BALANCED WAR ON DRUGS

In reading your editorial, what came to my mind was the concept of
"balanced extremism" -- in other words, utter nonsense. The
politicians either want to prohibit drugs, or provide or subsidize the
drugs through government channels. To me, neither of these extremes
can be considered balanced.

The only truly balanced approach has been painted as extreme by the
spin doctors. That's the moderate concept of legalization: no tax
money for shooting down planes; no tax money for propping up addicts;
no wild-eyed schemes for a "drug-free America," and no violent black
markets. Simply lock up violent criminals.

Legalization is small government. It is moderate, middle-of-the-road,
peaceful and civilized.

The insane War on Drugs emphatically must _not_  go
forward.

DAN LITWIN
San Diego
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MAP posted-by: Andrew