Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jan 2006
Source: Quesnel Cariboo Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Contact:  http://www.quesnelobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1260
Author: Chuck Beyer

LEGALIZING DRUGS MAKES SENSE

Letter writer John Goodman misses the point about legalization.

He says, "Why let kids have that first hit?"

No one arguing for legalization wants kids to have access, nor do we 
want crack-vending machines in schools.

Keeping kids off drugs is one of the major reasons for legalization. 
Police can spend all their time keeping kids off drugs as opposed to 
the present reality where they spend most of our dollars keeping 
adults off drugs.

The black market ensures not only the kids are not asked for 
identification when purchasing drugs, but also ensures many of the 
traffickers are children.

One of the biggest reasons for abolishing alcohol prohibition in the 
U.S. was kids were getting drunk on the way to school. Classes were 
often dismissed as so many kids were drunk. The centre of the 
campaign to abolish alcohol prohibition in the U.S. was to save the 
children who were being turned into alcoholics by myopic prohibitionists.

Once alcohol was legalized - presto - the problem of drunken school 
children disappeared.

In view of this historical reality, Mr. Goodman is wrong and 
legalization makes a whole lot of sense.

Chuck Beyer

Port Alberni
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom