SOMETHING DIFFERENT

It appears that the Draconian taxes levied and assessed against
tobacco are accomplishing the desired result of curtailing the number
of smokers for two reasons: the exorbitant cost of the product; and
the revenue generated allows for an advertising campaign to educate
and discourage both children and adults from becoming addicted, or, if
already addicted, to kick the habit.

Why not use this successful approach and legalize drugs and tax those
addictive substances? Then, instead of the enormous profits flowing
into and enriching the pockets of evildoers and criminals, the taxes
generated could be used as are the tobacco taxes. As a most welcome
side effect, the cost of drugs would plummet, and users would no
longer have to commit crimes to support their addiction.

The present drug program has failed miserably; now it's time to try
something new.

Herb Wiener
Encino