Pubdate: Mon, 02 Aug 2004 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2004 The Ottawa Citizen Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Mike Smithson Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1073/a08.html WORK WITH THE DEVIL Dan Gardner's explanation of organized crime's business structure is cold, hard reality. It points to the true enemy of society: prohibition. You cannot regulate or control a commodity that is not legal. Regulation does not mean approval -- it is a form of harm reduction. Control the manufacture and distribution of an item and you take this commodity away from organized crime. Eliminate that control through prohibition and you become complicit with the same people you are working against. By not legalizing drugs, you are in step with the drug lords and terrorists you supposedly despise. Mike Smithson, Syracuse, New York - --- MAP posted-by: Josh