Pubdate: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 Source: Salisbury Post (NC) Copyright: 2002 Post Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.salisburypost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/380 Author: Alan Randell Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) TEACH REAL DRUG LESSONS Regarding the article "Mock trial, real lesson: Courtroom class shows consequences of dealing drugs" (March 15 Post): Rather than attempting to scare the students about the consequences of being caught with drugs and turn them into obedient little citizens who will always do what the governments tells them to do, I hope teachers at China Grove Middle School consider discussing with the kids why governments prohibit certain drugs. Is it to protect users from harm No, that can't be the reason because users suffer more (adulterated drugs and jail time) when a drug is banned compared to when it is legally available. My wife and I became well acquainted with this aspect of government policy when we lost our 19-year-old son to street heroin in 1993. Besides, two of our more dangerous drugs, alcohol and tobacco, are legal. Is it to reduce the crime associated with illegal drugs? No, that can't be the reason because banning a drug always gives rise to more crime (drug cartels, petty crimes by users as prohibition makes drug prices higher, violent disputes between dealers) than when the drug is legally available. Is it to distract attention away from more important issues by conducting a brutal, Hitler-like pogrom to ruin the lives of the innocent few who ingest or sell certain drugs -- with the additional "benefit" of allowing our politicians and cops the pleasure of strutting and preening before us as they promise to slay the deadly dragon of drugs while sticking the taxpayer with the cost of bigger budgets? Bingo! - -- Alan Randell Victoria, B.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex