FAILED DRUG WAR

Sad to see health officials looking at regulating the sale of nitrous
oxide. I can understand the police wanting to do so - they wish to remain
in a job. But health officials are meant to be keen on health.

We've had 35 years now of a very intense drug war and the net result has
been an increased demand for drugs. Many, many, many casualties along the
way. People who knew nothing about the other side of the law now know the
truth.

As we run this drug war, more professional operations slip into place as
suppliers because of the enormous flow of money involved. None of it
taxed. What happens when you try to stop one drug is you get
another. Always worse. Witness P.

We've really got to give up this business of protecting people against
themselves. It doesn't work. I keep thinking the penny will drop - but
apparently not.

Jim Wilson

Takaka