Pubdate: Tue, 20 Nov 2012
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2012 The Dallas Morning News, Inc.
Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/lettertoed.cgi
Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Bill Betzen
Page: 12A

POT LAWS AREN'T WORKING

Re: "Pot is no laughing matter - Our children are being targeted by
drug dealers, says Lisa M. Virgoe," Saturday Viewpoints.

"Whether or not you think the 'war on drugs' is working, wrongheaded
or a spectacular failure is immaterial." Such a statement could only
be made by someone who really does not care or who is totally unaware
of the damage being done.

Our laws should reflect the truth. The truth is that marijuana is much
less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco. Of these three "recreational
drugs," how many people die from each one every day?

Our youth know that our laws do not reflect reality. Consequently, pot
then moves into the role of a gateway drug. Victims think that same
"lack of reality" also relates to heroin, cocaine, LSD, PCP or
methamphetamines. Kids die. They die not because of pot but because of
the unrealistic legislation that continues on the books.

The U.S. is the nation with the highest proportion of its population
in prison, a higher proportion than any nation on earth. The fact that
the "war on drugs" is not working is not immaterial.

Bill Betzen, Dallas/South Oak Cliff
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MAP posted-by: Matt