POLICIES ARE CREATING PROBLEMS MORE THAN DRUG USE ITSELF

I'm writing about Ethel Rowland's outstanding letter: "End of
prohibition would assist economy" (March 16).

I'd like to add that many judges and prison wardens have said that 70
percent to 80 percent of all property crime and violent crime is
drug-related.

Actually, almost 100 percent of all so-called "drug-related crime" is
caused by drug prohibition policies, not drugs.

When Coca-Cola contained cocaine instead of caffeine and sold for five
cents a bottle, the term "drug-related crime" didn't exist. Neither
did drug lords, drug cartels or even drug dealers, as we know them
today.

Many currently employed in law enforcement are opposed to the idea of
re-legalizing all types of recreational drugs. That's because if drugs
were re-legalized, we would need far fewer law enforcement personnel,
far fewer prison guards and no prison builders. Thus, many now
employed in law enforcement and the prison industry would be looking
for jobs.

Of course, those opposed to re-legalizing drugs because it would
affect their livelihood will not say so. Instead they will cite noble
reasons, such as protecting the children. As if the current policies
are protecting children from drugs.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.