Pubdate: Thu, 27 Nov 2008
Source: Chico News & Review, The (CA)
Copyright: 2008 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newsreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/559
Author: Stephen Talley
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n1048/a04.html

TIME TO DEMYTHIFY POT

Re: "Glaring spotlight" (Letters, by Jim Bettencourt, CN&R, Nov. 20):

Why do people believe that crime resulting from drug use today is a 
result of the drugs and not the fact that the usage and sale are 
illegal? Most drugs are cheap to produce; even more so when you 
remove the legal barriers in place today. The profits that are made 
from the drug trade are almost purely due to the fact it is illegal.

As such, the motive behind the sale and manufacture is in fact 
created by the same laws intended to protect us from drugs. The idea 
that this is what has happened is well supported by alcohol 
prohibition. Banning booze created an entire new way to make money 
from alcohol importation and sales.

Also, many deaths from drugs are due to the user not being aware of 
what they are in fact consuming. The environment, strength and 
content of the drugs can be unknown to the user. Further, the 
illegality of drugs makes seeking treatment much more difficult for 
any addict to seek.

I personally do not use, but I believe that it is any person's choice 
if they wish to, and that the government has zero business being 
involved in the regulation of drugs. There already are laws to punish 
murder, theft, all very heinous acts. Why do we feel that drugs make 
them any worse? Is there a less awful way to do these things, some 
consideration that negates some of the act?

Stephen Talley

Durham
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