Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2003
Source: Delta Democrat Times (MS)
Copyright: 2003 Delta Democrat Times
Contact:  http://www.ddtonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2123
Author: John Chase
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1890/a11.html

REMOVE ILLEGAL DRUG PROFIT

To the editor:

For the U.S. Supreme Court to decide how long it takes to flush
contraband down a toilet is to rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic.

With due respect, the only solution to rid the country of the scum the
Delta Democrat Times talks about is to take away their profit by
undercutting the street price in state drug stores and make users take
responsibility for their behavior.

Meet them halfway by using part of the revenue to offer free,
open-ended treatment to all who ask. But those who decline such help
can live in the gutter until they either die or decide to accept help.

Tough medicine for sure, but it is the only way out of this
mess.

True that the lower price would attract a few more casual users, but
the excitement of illegality would be gone, much as it was taken away
from bootleg liquor when Prohibition ended in 1933.

Then the police can mop up the residual street market, as they did in
the mid-1930s.

John Chase,

Palm Harbor, Fla.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin