RECREATIONAL DRUG USE SHOULD BE ALLOWED

I'm writing about Don Gaines' thoughtful letter, "Rush Limbaugh
deserves prosecution." I believe Rush Limbaugh and any other adult
citizen should be free to smoke, swallow, snort or inject any
substance they want.

As long as they are personally responsible for the consequences.

Ninety years ago, all types of recreational drugs were legally
available in local pharmacies for pennies per dose.

Ninety years ago, the term "drug-related crime" didn't exist. That's
because drugs like pure pharmaceutical-grade Bayer heroin sold for
about the same price as Bayer aspirin.

Ninety years ago, drug users and drug addicts didn't have to rob,
steal or commit acts of prostitution to obtain their drugs of choice.

Ninety years ago, deaths from recreational drugs were very rare.
That's because the drugs were of known quality, known purity and known
potency. That's just the opposite of the black market drugs of today.

When Alcohol Prohibition was terminated it was not because they
decided that alcohol was not so bad after all, but because of the
crime and corruption that prohibition caused. When alcohol prohibition
was terminated in 1933, the U. S. murder rate declined for 10
consecutive years.

Have we learned any lessons?

Not yet.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz