TAX THE DRUG TRADE

Re: The War Isn't Working, editorial, July 28.

P. Armstrong, in his letter of July 29, makes a clear case for
legalizating drugs. Over and over again we have seen that if there is
a compelling public desire for a product or service which may even be
considered antisocial, it is catastrophic for governments to ban it.
Yes, legalize it, but tax it to the point where bootlegging is about
to cut in and make it a little less convenient to obtain, so that only
the most dependent will be users. We all know the story of alcohol
prohibition. On the other hand, the battle with tobacco has been
relatively well handled through a combination of education and taxes.

A well-conducted program of taxing and education for drugs would yield
much-needed revenue as well as reduce law enforcement costs.

Alex Taylor, Toronto.