DRUG LAWS INTENDED TO CONTROL MINORITIES

This letter concerns your article, "Drug Sales Have Contributed To The
Decline Of Neighborhood," published Sept. 8. You must think we readers
are all as dumb as a post.

You cite one of the negative, unintended consequences of drug
prohibition -- street-level drug dealing in this case -- to persuade
us that "drugs are bad," and that we should all continue to support
the program that caused the problem in the first place.

The fact that you chose not to challenge the authorities on this
nonsense or allow any input from those of us who oppose this law
confirms that your purpose is to propagandize rather than to inform.

Drug prohibition was initiated almost a century ago to "control"
blacks (marijuana), Chinese (opium) and Mexicans (marijuana).

Today, in addition to stimulating crime, which in turn leads to
bloated police budgets, its purpose remains to divert attention from
government failures in other areas and to provide a measure of
vicarious enjoyment for the majority by persecuting a totally innocent
minority.

Bill of Rights? What Bill of Rights?

Alan Randell

Victoria, B.C Canada