DRUG PROHIBITION IS THE REAL PROBLEM

Re: A plan to help young black males, editorial, Aug. 25.

The bill in the Florida House (HB 21) speaks of drug abuse as one of
the conditions affecting African-American men and boys. But it is
primarily drug dealing that destroys neighborhoods and sends many of
the subjects of this bill to prison. They are drawn to the excitement
and easy money of dealing drugs, just as unskilled males were drawn
to bootlegging during Prohibition (of alcohol).

Now, as then, the cause of the problems is not the drug; the cause is
the prohibition, especially the resulting profit. Marijuana, for
instance, retails for about 30 times what it would bring if it were
regulated like tobacco. Even at its peak, illegal imported alcohol
retailed for less than three times what it would have brought if legal.

One of the hidden costs of drug dealing can be a few years in prison,
but even that has benefits. Prison enhances the social status of the
dealer and helps sharpen his skills to not get caught the next time.

Those are the reasons unskilled African-Americans deal drugs rather
than flip burgers. This bill's proposed "Council on the Social Status
of African-American Men and Boys" must face that issue if it is to be
effective.

John Chase

Palm Harbor