DECOGESTANT DRUG WAR SILLINESS

Re "Limits imposed on decongestant sales," May 31: Government is
convinced that it can repeal the law of supply and demand by making
consumers of products containing psedoephedrine produce
identification. While reducing the number of meth labs is a laudable
goal, lab operators will not give up a very lucrative business
because of this new policy. So long as there is a market for meth,
there will be an economic incentive to supply it.

I do not suggest that society ignore or acquiesce to drug abuse.
Education and treatment are critical, and we should do everything to
help those who wish to stop destructive habits. But let's not delude
ourselves by thinking that producing identification and keeping a log
will change anything.

- - Richard Markuson, Sacramento