Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 Source: Columbian, The (WA) Copyright: 2007 The Columbian Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.columbian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n733/a03.html?62116 Author: Steve Douglas LEGALIZATION IS NOT ANSWER I often hear opinions like those of Kirk Muse's June 18 letter, "Regulation reduces harm," suggesting that legalization and control of drugs would end many of the drug-associated problems. I think their ideas are very short-sighted. If illegal drugs were sold to the public, would that also include the most harmful like meth, crack cocaine, heroin, LSD, acid, etc.? Would they be available at all hours? Sold to minors and pregnant women? Who would care for all the addicts, no longer able to function or hold a steady job? How about restrictions on when and where these drugs would be possessed? Could an airline pilot carry them on a plane? There would be a never-ending list of new restrictions to be enforced. When alcohol was legalized, did that stop the alcohol problems? Yet, there are those who suggest that legalizing much more harmful and addicting items would not create more problems. If legalizing drugs is the answer to solving our enforcement problems, then why not legalize theft, assault, weapons violations, etc.? Legalization is not the answer. Steve Douglass Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom