Pubdate: Thu, 14 Oct 2004
Source: Houston Press (TX)
Copyright: 2004 New Times, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.houston-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/199
Author: Dean Becker
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1387/a01.html

GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT DRUG WAR INSANITY

Thanks to writer Michael Serazio and the Houston Press for their courage 
["Reefer Madness," September 30]. It takes balls to attack the perversion 
of the U.S. drug laws, and your attack against the marijuana "laws" is 
certainly a bold first step.

In the 90-year-old "prohibition of drugs," commerce worldwide in these 
prohibited drugs amounts to some $500 billion per year.

There is no justice, no logic, no truth involved, no scientifically 
justifiable reason for this drug war -- none, zero, zilch. Bankers, 
government contractors and pharmaceutical houses lead the charge for the 
everlasting, ever-escalating drug war. Millions of suppliers, guard union 
members and pot growers supplement the call for more of our young people to 
be arrested for making a nebulous choice as to their intoxicants.

After the end of prohibition, overdose deaths will dwindle to the few who 
have chosen this route to commit suicide. When we break the back of the 
black market trade, there will be insufficient profits to lure street 
corner vendors who thrive on selling to our children.

People have used drugs for thousands of years. To set out on a 90-year 
jihad to prohibit such use is not just folly, it is a crime.

Dean Becker

Houston
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake