LEGALIZE DRUGS, CRIME WILL DROP

To the editor:

I'm writing about Meghann Ackerman's story about "Bill Fried: Resident a
'less hysterical' anti-drug advocate," (Aug. 20).

If all types of recreational drugs were re-legalized and sold in
regulated, controlled and taxed business establishments for pennies
per dose, our overall crime rate would decline dramatically and our
public safety will increase substantially.

And, I believe, that our overall drug usage rates would decline
substantially. That's because drug dealers as we know them today would
disappear for economic reasons.

The first time almost all drug users used a particular drug, they
didn't buy it -- either a friend or drug dealer gave it to them. Drug
dealers give free samples of drugs for the same reason any business
gives away free samples.

We can and should prevent all licensed sellers of drugs from
advertising or branding the drugs they sell. And we should prevent the
drug sellers from giving free samples.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.