Pubdate: Fri, 22 Oct 1999
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 1999 Houston Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Forum: http://www.chron.com/content/hcitalk/index.html
Page: 41A (op-ed page)
Author: Clare L. Jensen

FINALLY AN ELECTED OFFICIAL HAS SAID

Finally an elected official has said out loud what many have known for
years: The drug laws are as unenforceable as Prohibition was ("N.M.
governor's drug stand stirs furor," Oct. 10 Chronicle). We have not,
nor will we ever eliminate alcoholism, but with laws and taxes it has
become more controlled and a source of income for some instead of an
intolerable expense for society.

The Drug Enforcement Agency is no closer to controlling the drug
trafficking than when it began the effort. Billions are appropriated
and spent annually for enforcement, court expenses and prison
administration.

Public officials should jump on the bandwagon and help legalize all
drugs so they can be sold from drug stores just like liquor stores and
taxed just like liquor is. Congress is always looking for money, why
is it so blind to this problem? The amount of tax money that would be
available for the homeless, health care and "pork-barrel projects"
boggles my mind.

Clare L. Jensen, 
Houston
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