TREATMENT IS CHOICE OVER JAIL

J.B. Cole is correct in that marijuana is a mind-altering drug that like
alcohol, etc, all should avoid. After that truth, Mr. Cole engaged in a bit
of his own "reefer madness." The most glaring "fact" involved treatment.

More kids are in treatment for pot than alcohol because they are given a
choice -- treatment or jail. They rarely, if ever, are given that Faustian
choice with alcohol. Of course, kids choose treatment, even if they don't
need it.

Mr. Cole failed to mention that because my colleagues spend so much time
chasing pot, DUIs are much freer to slaughter innocents. Marijuana
prohibition actually reduces public safety.

Marijuana prohibition has made it easier for our teens to buy pot than
whiskey for the past 25 years, according to all federal surveys. To make
pot as hard to buy as whiskey, we will need to legalize, regulate and tax
it. With the taxes generated, we could fund first class treatment programs,
for those who need it.

Howard J. Wooldridge (retired)

Media Director, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc)