LEGALIZING DRUGS WOULD HELP WITH JAIL OVERCROWDING

Dear Editor, I'm writing about Jason A. Ludwick's letter: "Jail
overcrowding has simple and inexpensive solution" (5-23-07). I agree
with Ludwick that there is a simple and inexpensive solution to jail
overcrowding situation, but it's not putting prisoners in tents.

The simple, common sense way to eliminate your jail and prison
overcrowding situation: reserve your jails and prisons for only those
who intentionally harm others against their will.

Not gardeners. Not people who use, produce or sell to willing buyers
"unapproved" substances.

Then sell the "unapproved" substances to willing buyers in licensed
and regulated business establishments. This will eliminate drug
dealers as we know them today. And this will make the term
"drug-related crime" obsolete.

Will we still have drug addicts? Yes. Will drug addicts need to rob,
steal or commit acts of prostitution to obtain money to purchase their
drugs? No.

Will the jail and prison guards object? Yes. Will the jail builders
and prison builders object? Yes.

Kirk Muse,

Mesa, Ariz.