THE WAR ON DRUGS IS GOING IN CIRCLES

When will the people and their representatives learn the lessons of
prohibition? When alcohol was prohibited the government gave up a vast
revenue stream to those who were willing to satisfy the demands of the
public who still desired alcohol in spite of its illegal status. Drinking
among minors increased and so did the violence that resulted from the
competition among criminal gangs.

The only thing that was accomplished by prohibition was the rise of
organized crime and a decline in respect for the law. Law enforcement was
corrupted by the vast amounts of bribe money available, and courts were
filled with citizens who were law-abiding except for their desire for alcohol.

Does this sound familiar? We will never win the war on drugs because we
support both sides. We spend billions to keep drugs out of this country,
while at the same time we buy the drugs that the cartels provide. Let us
get off this tragic merry-go-round. Regulate, tax and treat those few who
need it.

Robert Gregg, Marshville