MAJORITY RUINING LIVES OF INNOCENT MINORITY

Re: Cops Hope To Get Anti-Marijuana Message Out to Local Teens, May 28, The
News.

Why do governments prohibit certain drugs?

Is it to reduce the number of people using the drugs? No, that can't be the
reason because usage seems to have skyrocketed.

Before marijuana was prohibited, hardly anyone used it. Now, it is
difficult to find anyone who has not used it. Is it to protect users from harm?

No, that can't be the reason because users suffer more (adulterated drugs
and jail time) when a drug is banned as compared to when it is legally
available.

My wife and I became well acquainted with this aspect of government policy
when we lost our 19-year-old son to street heroin in 1993. Many more people
died from the effects of bad booze during Prohibition than when alcohol was
legally available. The harm argument is moot in any event because two of
our more dangerous drugs, alcohol and tobacco, are legal.

Is it to reduce the crime associated with illegal drugs?

No, that can't be the reason because banning a drug always gives rise to
more crime (drug cartels, petty crimes by users as prohibition makes drug
prices much higher, violent disputes between dealers, etc.) than when the
drug is legally available.

Is it a brutal, Hitler-like program m to distract and entertain the
majority by ruining the lives of the innocent minority who ingest or sell
certain drugs? Bingo!

Alan Randell

Victoria, B.C.