PUBLIC PULSE: IS IT TIME TO DECRIMINALIZE STREET DRUGS IN AMERICA?

ETHEL DeMARR 51, renewable-energy programs manager, Scottsdale Yes, it is
time to decriminalize street drugs in the United States. We are spending
billions of dollars fighting a war we cannot win. The lessons from
Prohibition should be clear. Of course, drugs and alcohol can and do ruin
lives, but making them illegal is not going to solve the problem.

YVONNE HUNTER 46, public-affairs representative, Phoenix No. For those
selling illegal drugs, we need to continue to punish. For those using the
drugs, we need to support a two-pronged approach: (1) effectively treat the
user, and (2) keep the hammer of prosecution as the motivator to stay in
treatment. This approach has shown to be the most effective way to reduce
drug use and abuse. Trying to correct the horrors of drug addiction any
other way is a useless exercise.

GARY BYLER 56, Army retiree, Surprise I strongly disagree with any effort
to decriminalize drugs. We had a drug-related death in our family on June
21 last year. My wife and I had no idea what was going on until it was too
late. We lost a son. Anyone who thinks that decriminalizing drugs will help
the situation should visit the coroner's office. Make no mistake, drugs
kill and devastate families. We cannot afford to start down this slippery
slope of drug decriminalization.

STEPHANIE YEE 15, student, Paradise Valley Yes. We are fighting a war on
drugs, and we're losing. We need a different strategy. Drugs should be
legal just as alcohol and cigarettes are legal. The government could
regulate quality and prices and collect taxes off drugs. Crime would go
down; people would no longer compete for selling territory or steal to buy
more drugs. Gangs would die out; they'd lose a major source of income.
Let's face facts and regulate this unruly industry.

STEVE SEARLE 48, financial consultant, Carefree The decriminalization of
marijuana would not concern me, since the long-term effects of marijuana
are likely in the same category as those of long-term alcohol or tobacco
use. I would be adamantly opposed to decriminalizing heroin, cocaine,
amphetamines, etc., since even short-term use can lead to serious health
problems. If sentences for hard drug possession were combined with
rehabilitation, demand would diminish over time.

DICK RONEY 55, former owner of high-tech firm, Phoenix It will never
happen! Put aside the many moral objections to legalizing drugs. There is a
huge practical barrier. There is precedent in the judicial system that the
family of an individual who engages in destructive behavior is entitled to
significant compensation from the supplier. Individuals may be responsible
for their actions, but the company with deep pockets is accountable. No
reputable company would enter a business that is certain to bankrupt it.