Pubdate: Wed, 06 Feb 2002
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2002 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Author: John Chase
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n168/a02.html

MANAGING DRUG POLICY

If the United States had about 100 columnists like Mike Thomas, we would 
already be engaged in a nationwide dialogue about anti-drug policy. In his 
Jan. 31 column, Thomas tells how to manage addiction, one of the two causes 
of the social damage of drugs and their prohibition. The other cause is greed.

Greed can be managed only by taking the profit out of the illegal drug 
trade. With cocaine retailing at $2,500 an ounce that is a tall order. The 
only way to do that is to reduce the price. And the only way to do that is 
to sell all these substances, along with alcohol and tobacco, in state 
liquor stores. Price them high, but not so high that they stimulate an 
illegal market. Then use a small part of that revenue to offer free 
treatment to all who ask.

John Chase, Palm Harbor
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager