END DRUG LAW INSANITY

Regarding Debra J. Saunders' column Monday, "One-size-fits-all drug
laws distort true view of threat":

I disagree with Saunders' statement that "fewer laws equal more
addicts."

Ninety years ago when all types of recreational drugs were legally
available in local pharmacies for pennies per dose, we had about 1.8
percent of our population addicted to drugs, according to federal
Judge John Kane of Colorado.

Today, after 90 years of recreational drug criminalization, and
transforming the former "Land of Liberty" into the most incarcerated
nation on the planet and in history, we still have about 1.8 percent
of our population addicted to drugs.

Ninety years ago, the term "drug-related crime" didn't exist. Neither
did drug lords or drug cartels. These were all created by our drug
prohibition policies. Not drugs.

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

Today recreational drugs are untaxed, unregulated and controlled by
criminal gangs.

It's time to end this insanity.

Kirk Muse

Mesa