DRUGS SHOULDN'T BE LEGALIZED

I am responding to the Oct. 10 letter "Bring drugs out of the closet,"
by Seymour Block. While I share Block's concerns about the profits
gained from illegal drug sales, harm to the environment, and the nexus
between drug trafficking and evil in the world, I do not support his
conclusion that we should legalize drugs.

To his credit, Block cautions that addiction "is a very serious
problem and must be confronted." However, legalization will cause
significant increases in addiction with related medical and societal
costs.

The nature of criminal activity may change; however, the level of
crime will increase. Burglary, theft, prostitution, child and spouse
abuse, and violence are among the crimes where we can predict marked
increases. Work productivity, already significantly affected by drug
use, will decline. More families will be destroyed and our communities
will be less safe and more disjointed. The very fiber of our great
state and nation could be threatened.

Some readers will suggest that I exaggerate, or that the nature of my
current work necessitates this response. To the contrary, I have too
many years seeing the devastation of addiction to allow Block's letter
to go unanswered. We should be unifying against the destructive forces
that rip our families and communities apart.

If we legalize drugs, we will experience horrific consequences in our
families, communities, and nation. Harm does not come from drug
prohibition; harm comes from drugs.

BILL JANES

Director

Florida Office of Drug Control

Tallahassee