Pubdate: Fri, 27 Mar 1998
Date: March 27, 1998
Source: The Herald (Everett, WA)
Author: Darral Good

Recently we have been exposed to two more very good reasons to re-think the
war on drugs.

A DEA budget analyst was caught with his hand in a $6 million cookie jar
(taxpayers' money folks). And a King County deputy prosecutor was caught
bringing a methamphetamine pipe and a scale to the courthouse! (But the
King County prosecutor's spokesperson said that there was no indication he
used the pipe or drugs during work!)

Two reasons to re-think our current drug policy: 1. Because it is way too
expensive! (Some estimates say the budget for the "war on some drugs" is
larger than NASA's!) 2. Because it is not stopping very many people from
using drugs.

If it was up to me, I would change the way we regulate drugs -- legalize
marijuana like alcohol and tobacco. Keep hard drugs under the supervision
of a doctor -- as is done in England -- which would cut the prison
population by half and would help people instead of hurting them.

Darral Good
North Everett