N.W.T. Mountie's Slaying Even More Reason to Legalize Drugs

Re: "Mountie's widow begs town to fight drugs: 1,000 people pack arena for
memorial," The Journal, Oct. 28

I totally understand Jodie Worden's position.

In the hours following the death of my youngest child in 1993 --
shortly after he ingested some heroin -- I urged the local police to
go after those who provided Peter with the drug.

However, as time went by, I realized that Peter was not killed by the
drug. Rather, like Const. Christopher Worden, he was a victim of drug
prohibition.

When alcohol was banned, many law enforcement officers were killed by
the violence and mayhem that prohibition induced and thousands of
users were blinded by the effects of bathtub gin and other illegal
concoctions.

But when alcohol was made legal again, the number of such tragedies
dropped precipitately.

Surely the very same effect will occur when we come to our collective
senses and legalize all drugs.

Alan Randell, Victoria