LEGALIZING DRUGS WOULD ONLY ADD TO OUR PROBLEMS

Re: If drugs are legalized, related violence will end.

While it is to be commended that Glen Walker and his classmates are
reading current events in the newspaper, they must also be reminded
that reading any media story must be approached with critical-thinking skills.

His assertion that legalizing drugs will eliminate related violence
and stating that "the stupidity of the statement," by Tony Cannovino,
made him "want to scream" leaves one to wonder about his own motives
for wanting drugs legalized.

If all violence related to alcohol ceased when Prohibition was
repealed, why must there be such a strong police presence in downtown
Windsor every weekend?

If you don't consider the death of people at the hands of drunk
drivers to be extremely violent, then your comprehension of violence
needs to be revisited. Legalizing drugs will not solve the "black
market" issues they have created. Just find the "street prices" on
legal and controlled drugs like Oxycotin and Valium to see the
fallacy of this statement.

Vigilance is required to maintain order in our society and that
includes throwing drug offenders in jail.

I challenge you, Mr. Walker, rather than promote the legalization of
drugs, to instead educate your peers on the consequences of drug use
and the benefits of abstinence.

If there is no demand for illegal drugs, then truly the market would disappear.

RON RICCI

Leamington