Pubdate: Thu, 30 Sep 2004
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Copyright: 2004 Chicago Tribune Company
Contact:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/82
Author: Alan Friedlander

LEGALIZE POT

Northbrook -- The use of marijuana and other narcotic-type drugs on
the streets and private places of America has become an epidemic and
shame on our national pride. Current solutions related to law
enforcement of legislative prohibitions, incarceration and moral
imperatives to "just say no" have failed significantly.

A new approach is clearly needed.

I would suggest that such substances be legalized and regulated by
government agency distribution centers--much like some states regulate
the sale of alcoholic beverages. In this case, however, these centers
would be managed by professional social workers, guidance counselors,
psychologists and physicians. Potential drug users would be required
to undergo a series of interviews with these professionals. If
undeterred from such usage, they would have to sign a legal form that
clearly indicated their understanding of personal risk in their future
lives as drug users, with a no-fault clause for government agencies.
Then the drugs would be dispensed.

Then the existence of illegal drug dealers would be
eliminated.

Alan Friedlander 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake