TAKE THE PROFITS OUT OF METH

Thank you for publishing Stan White's (Jan, 4) letter detailing some
of the damage the prohibition of drugs causes our children.

Stan is correct that the problem lies in having black-market dealers
selling drugs who do not enforce age or quality controls. If meth were
sold in regulated markets, only adults could buy it and it would know
dosage.

Yes, meth is a terrible drug, but if it were legal no one would be
"pushing it" and users would only harm themselves.

Also, if it were legal the forbidden-fruit syndrome would be
eliminated and more people could clearly see the damage that happens
to those who use and/or abuse it. For the 96 percent of us who would
not use it even if it were legal, it would be a huge savings in
police, court, and prison costs and it would also reduce property
crimes committed for addicts to support the black market.

It seems the only people who continue to resist drug regulation are
those who profit from prohibition, e.g. criminal drug dealers, police,
prison guards and rehab companies that get court-ordered clients. If
those in rehab were only those seeking help and not everyone ordered
by the court to be there, the quality of the care would increase
dramatically.

David Lane

Santa Cruz, Calif.