Pubdate: Tue, 01 Jul 2008
Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL)
Copyright: 2008 St. Petersburg Times
Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
Website: http://www.sptimes.com/home.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419
Author: Carl E. Graham

LEGALIZING DRUGS IS NO SOLUTION

If anyone thinks that legalizing drugs is the solution, consider the following:

1. The fact that alcohol is legal does not mean that people do not 
abuse it by using it in excess. There is also underage drinking, and 
thousands of lives are lost every year due to alcohol accidents. Also 
moonshiners and bootleggers have not been eliminated even though 
alcohol is legal.

2. If drugs that are illegal become legalized, we will likely see an 
increase in abuse. Also, even if these drugs were taxed, would it be 
enough to pay for the extra legislation and manpower required? If 
illegal drugs were used as widely as alcohol is now, we would most 
likely have more deaths and injuries resulting from misuse.

3. Before we even consider legalizing these drugs, we should ask 
ourselves if we would want a close family member or friend to use 
these drugs even in small doses.

Granted illegal drug use has not been eliminated, but I say that the 
answer is to continue educating everyone, especially children about 
the harmful effects that these drugs have and to provide alternatives 
for them. If fewer people buy drugs in the first place, that may 
discourage would-be pushers. I for one am thankful that I was 
educated in the dangers of illegal drugs and as a result I never used them.

Carl E. Graham, Largo
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