CHANGING LAWS WOULD END BLACK MARKET

I would like to thank the Atlanta deputy police chief for his recent letter
relating his views on the war on drugs. This issue deserves to be discussed
openly. His letter is a good example of how many of those fighting this war
have become blinded to any solution that doesn't involve more fighting.

Jackson says it is irrational to think "that a multibillion-dollar criminal
enterprise would be rendered harmless if its primary product were
legalized." This is, actually, a very rational argument. If the product
were cheaply available through legal means, the "multibillion-dollar
criminal enterprise" would be out of business overnight. How many shootings
are attributable to the black-market alcohol industry? Not many.

Our police should be commended for doing the dangerous job that we have
charged them to do. I believe, however, that it is time to re-evaluate our
strategy in dealing with this important societal problem.

Brian Rubins
Atlanta