DRUG PROHIBITION MAKING CRIMINALS FILTHY RICH

(Re: Dec. 21 guest column, "Drug prohibition: What cop learned from
years on front line," by Howard L. Wooldridge;

Dec. 28 letter, "Drug legalization isn't the answer," by Wayne C.
Williams.)

Williams says, in rebuttal to Wooldridge, "The craving for narcotics
drives people to commit crimes. They steal, prostitute themselves, lie
and cheat to get their fix."

Williams misses Wooldridge's point. These crimes are caused under the
system of prohibition Wooldridge calls for an end to. We don't have
alcoholics stealing, prostituting themselves, lying and cheating to
get their fix, because they can purchase alcohol legally in any
licensed, regulated store. Surveys show that children repeatedly state
that illegal drugs are easier for them to get than alcohol, because
alcohol is regulated by law. Retailers have age controls they are
responsible for self-enforcing.

For black-market drug dealers, gangs and cartels, drug prohibition is
a goose laying golden eggs. We can't keep feeding that goose. To end
the criminal control of drugs, we must cook their goose by
incorporating a system of legal production and distribution.

Ask a drug dealer what he thinks about drug legalization.

Allan Erickson

Eugene, Ore.