REGULATE, DON'T PROHIBIT, DRUGS

Re: Report Says Competition Creates Gang Expansions, May 31, A3

Too bad News reporter Peter Crnogorac did not keep up the basic economics
lesson in his recent report on gang activity in the Medicine Hat area.

Demand and supply are two basic economic lessons that come to play in the
black market.

The basics are simple enough.

As long as there is a demand for pleasure, there will be somebody to supply
it no matter what form it takes.

In southern Alberta's case, this demand is for crack cocaine.

Once the basics are mastered, it becomes evident regulation rather than
prohibition is the proper policy if the state wants to control commerce.

Since the topic is gangs, there exists a blueprint on how to get rid of
them already: repeal prohibition.

It worked to end gang violence associated with black market alcohol in the
1930s.

Chris Buors

Winnipeg, Man.