LEGALIZING DRUGS WOULD HELP WITH JAIL OVERCROWDING

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 you 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.