Pubdate: Tue, 4 Mar 2008
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Page: A15
Copyright: 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n230/a07.html
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n217/a03.html
Author: Samuel Diamond

BETTER WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE EVIL OF DRUG ABUSE

Joe Reimers's letter (Feb. 28, in response to "Mexico Under Siege," 
Americas, Feb. 25), suggests that allowing (but not requiring) all 
employers to make their own rules on disciplining drug use in or out 
of the workplace, is the most sensible and probably effective idea I 
have ever seen. It's also consistent with transferring the issue from 
government to the marketplace. If one believes that markets work, why 
not give this one a chance?

Adopting Mr. Reimers's plan would reduce the demand for recreational 
drugs as users rationally choose their jobs over their drug use. 
Criminal sellers here and abroad would feel the loss of their markets.

Our society would benefit from lower drug-related crime rates, 
reduced burdens on the criminal justice system, smaller prison 
populations (with lower costs to taxpayers and families), and would 
free up billions now spent on ineffectual drug enforcement. Is this a 
perfect solution?

Not at all. It's just much better than anything we have now.

Samuel Diamond

Philadelphia 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake