Pubdate: Thu, 25 Mar 2004
Source: Herald-Dispatch, The (WV)
Copyright: 2004 The Herald-Dispatch
Contact: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/hdinfo/letters.html
Website: http://www.hdonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1454
Author: Jay Bowen

NEW PLAN NEEDED TO FIGHT ILLEGAL DRUGS

Here are my thoughts on the illegal drug trade:

Dealers just relocate.

Drug users don't want to quit the habit, just look at smokers for an
example.

Marijuana is considered by many users to be only recreational, like
alcohol, and should be put into the same legal category and taxed as
such.

Punishment proves to work in only a few cases.

Rewards may be the answer.

Work gangs should be established for offenders, sellers or buyers.
Loud repeating tapes of the evils of drugs and subliminal messages of
how to modify their behavior should be played. Those who work could
get ear muffs, while those refusing to work or causing a disturbance
couldn't.

Those who accumulated a predetermined number of hours working would be
released, while those who refused to work would be taken to a work
site each and every day.

Anyone convicted three times of drug trafficking should receive a life
sentence.

Jay Bowen

Huntington
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin