Pubdate: Fri, 06 Jan 2006 Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc Contact: http://www.mrtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372 Author: Colleen Roy Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n012/a01.html DON'T LEGALIZE DRUGS Editor: Re: Legalize it, tax it, Times, Jan. 3, 2006 It's disturbing that people seriously consider the legalization of a dangerous and highly addictive drug to be any type of a solution. Do people really believe that legalization of pot or crystal meth will stop dealers from pushing drugs on kids and youth? The ingredients and supplies will still be readily available, and the dealers would still have a market. The only change I can see happening is that adults who would otherwise never consider trying drugs would now think of it as no big deal. "Hey, it's legal isn't it?" Then when they became addicts, their families would be left to deal with the pain of addiction. People keep bringing up prohibition to justify these ideas. If you actually think that the legalization and "controlled selling" of alcohol stops youth from drinking, please think again. I cringe to think about how many of my classmates drove drunk regularly, how many ended up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning, how many ended up in violent fights that otherwise wouldn't have happened. Please people, wake up. It will be a sad day when I hear myself saying that my children's education is funded by the destructive addictions of others. Colleen Roy Maple Ridge - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin