Pubdate: Wed, 22 Mar 2006
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2006 The Dallas Morning News
Contact:  http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Suzanne Wills
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n320/a01.html?304965

TRUTH ABOUT LEGAL DRUGS

Re: "Legal drugs? Nonsense," by Jared Ambra, March 15 Letters.

Mr. Ambra bases his conclusion on a false assumption. There is no 
evidence that legalizing all drugs would lead to a sharp increase in drug use.

The Dutch use marijuana at less than half the U.S. rate. Their rate 
of heroin addiction is less than one-third the U.S. rate.

While drug prohibition does little to deter drug use, it ensures the 
continuation of a business that funnels $12 billion per week (a U.N. 
estimate) to thugs who operate without regulation and use violence 
and corruption as ordinary business practices.

Suzanne Wills, Drug Policy Forum of Texas, Dallas
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