Pubdate: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 Source: Bradenton Herald (FL) Copyright: 2006 Bradenton Herald Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58 Website: http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/ Author: Kirk Muse Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) LEGALIZE DRUGS I'm writing about the not-so-thoughtful letter from J. E. Spencer, "Close revolving door for dealers" (Aug. 5). When our great grandfathers relegalized alcohol in 1933, the illegal alcohol producers and dealers were put out of business overnight. We could do the exact same thing by re-legalizing all types of recreational drugs and selling them in licensed business establishments. Then the drugs would be regulated, controlled and taxed by our government - not criminals. The United States is the most incarcerated nation in the history of human civilization - thanks primarily to our counter-productive drug policies. We have fewer than five percent of the world's population but more than 25 percent of the world's prisoners. In other words, one out of every four prisoners is locked in an American jail or prison. I'm tired of paying for the room and board for people who have harmed nobody except themselves or willing buyers of their product. Our war on drugs has been a dismal failure. It's time to chart a new course and do something different - substantially different. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman