METH LAB LAW

EDITOR: I'm writing about: "Sheriffs To Ask For Tougher Meth-Making
Penalties" (9-11-03).

There's one law, if passed by Congress, that would completely put the
illegal meth labs out of business overnight.

That would be a law making pharmaceutical grade amphetamines legally
available in local pharmacies for pennies per dose.

Ninety years ago when all types of recreational drugs were legally
available in local pharmacies for pennies per dose, we didn't have
clandestine drug labs or drug related crime. And drug dealers, as we
know them today, didn't exist.

When alcohol prohibition ended in 1933, 100 percent of the "bathtub
gin" producers went out of business for economic reasons and they have
stayed out of the business for economic reasons.

When alcohol prohibition ended in 1933, the U. S. murder rate declined
for 10 consecutive years. Have we learned any lessons?

Not yet.

KIRK MUSE

Mesa, Ariz.