LOCAL PANEL DEBATES LEGALIZING POT

KALAMAZOO -- The question repeatedly asked at a panel discussion on
the current state of the country's drug policy was, "Why not legalize
marijuana and regulate it the same as alcohol and tobacco?"

The money it generates could be used for drug education and
prevention programs as well as for treating addicts who want help for
their substance-abuse problems, said two of the four panelists who
debated the issue Wednesday night at Kalamazoo College.

The discussion, titled "A Sober Look at Drug Policy," was sponsored
by the college's chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

"I've seen more drug destruction than anyone," said Dan Bigg,
director of the Chicago Recovery Alliance, which treats drug addicts.
But he said marijuana use shouldn't be demonized.

Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey Fink and retired
Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge William G. Schma who also took part in
the discussion, offered opposing viewpoints.

"I don't think we've done a good job in regulating the drugs we have
now," Fink said.

Schma, who helped create the Drug Treatment Court program in
Kalamazoo County, agreed. He said working with addicts through the
court system showed them the cost and devastation even legal drugs,
such as alcohol, cost individuals and society.

Former Coast Guard interdiction agent turned marijuana legalization
advocate Greg Francisco said he thinks more damage is done by law
enforcement arresting people with small quantities of drugs for
personal use than does the drug use.

"I think we can all agree drug abuse is harmful to society," he said
to a crowd of about 200 -- mostly students -- in the Dalton Theatre.
"But drugs are here to stay.

"Most people report that it's easier to buy illegal drugs than legal
drugs. ... The drug dealer just wants to see my money."

All four agreed that the "War on Drugs," declared in 1971 by
President Richard Nixon, has been a bust or at least misnamed. Drugs
are now cheaper, purer and more prevalent than before, Francisco
said. And the cost has risen to almost $20 billion a year in this country.

K-College freshman J.J. Weber said he thinks drugs should be
legalized if that is the will of the American people.

"I could see marijuana (being legalized) before heroin or the heavier
drugs," he said.