LEGALIZE DRUGS

To The Editor :

I would like to answer Mr. Paul H. Mallette's question in the
Ogdensburg Advance News dated Sun 29 Aug 1999.

Question: " I'll close with this question to those who are
concerned and to the members of ReconsiDer. In all of the years that
alcohol has been legalized, what has the cost been to each and every American-man, woman,
and child, financially, physically and emotional?

My answer: " What would the costs of alcohol be if we had not
repealled alcohol prohibition and, in addition to the problems we now have
resulting from alcohol itself, we added liquor'cartels' and their
corrupting influence on government,alcohol smuggling at the borders,
shotings in our streets over markets for alcohol, millions more prison
inmates for alcohol use,etc. I wonder if the country could have survived
such a situation. remember, Alcohol prohibition was "the experiment that
failed" , As a matter of fact , it failed so badly it was the only
constitutional ammendment ever to be repealed ! "

I would like to comment on Mr. Keith Shaver's letter dated Sun 5
Sept. 1999 in the Ogdensburg Advance news.
Frist of all I can't find the research that state's " the average
heroin addict will hook 20 friends or relatives on herion before the drug
kills them"

Maybe you can quote the publication that was in for us!
You state " Anyone that wants drugs legalized is either crazy or an
addict themselves." Maybe you should read the papers a little closer!

Since Jan of 1999 the following have gone public for changes in the
drug laws and stated the drug war is not working.

And I'm sure they all will take a drug test be fore they will talk to
you! Chief Judge of the states highest court Judith Kaye, Former Long
Island Senator John Dunne, Former State Senator H. Douglas Barclay,{
Watertown Daily Times-10 Feb 1999}. Cardinal John O Conner, Leader of
about 2 million Roman Cathlics. New York State Roman Catholic Bishops.
I won't name them to save space.{ The Ogdensburg Journal Tues 15 June
1999}. Gov Gary Johnson of New Mexico and former Mayor of Baltimore
Kurt schmoke { Aug 1999) State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer,former
Senate Majority Leader Warren M. Anderson, Cayuga County Court Judge
Peter E. Corning. And the list goes on and on! I have notice a common
answer to decrim and regulating drugs is " then we will have drugs
everywhere." Aren't drug everywhere now? A quote from prohibition "
The people made booze faster then the Treasury Agents could pour it
down the drains."

Thank you

Lawrence Seguin
288 Cold Spring Rd.
Lisbon, New York 13658-3208