Pubdate: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 Source: Windsor Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2007 The Windsor Star Contact: http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501 Author: Glen Walker IF DRUGS ARE LEGALIZED, RELATED VIOLENCE WILL END In my English class, our teacher gives us time to read the newspaper during class. A couple days ago, I read an article that really struck a nerve with me.The article was about Stephen Harper's new policy about cracking down on drugs. There was a quote from Tory Cannovino which read: "That is a corner stone, because a lot of violence is related to drugs." The stupidity of that statement made me want to scream. The reason there is violence related to drugs is because drugs are illegal. When you make something illegal you create a black market. The only way to solve disputes in the black market is with violence. It is exactly the same as alcohol prohibition and that didn't work. When alcohol was illegal there was plenty of violence and when alcohol prohibition was repealed all the violence stopped. The only way to get rid of a black market is to regulate the product legally. You cannot keep throwing drug offenders in jail and think there are no more drugs being sold. Somebody will fill in the void overnight, because there is money to be made. Glen Walker Windsor - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman