LEGALIZING DRUGS

Prohibitionists like Mr. Dateline continue to insist that the only way
to legalize drugs such as cocaine and heroin is to put pretty labels
on the bottles and sell them over the counter like vodka. Sure, that's
one way.

But how about this: We allow addicts to go to a doctor to get a
prescription for whatever drug is involved, which is then filled by a
pharmacist. Consider it the first step in a multi-step program:
weaning the addict away from the pusher.

Not only will this eliminate the addict's need to commit crimes, it
also eliminates the violent drug trade that wreaks havoc on our cities
and delivers billions of dollars into the hands of criminals and
terrorists. As we learned with alcohol, a regulated, controlled drug
industry is much less harmful than an unregulated, uncontrolled one.

Arthur Cole,

Hope Valley, R.I.