TEACH REAL DRUG LESSONS

Regarding the article "Mock trial, real lesson: Courtroom class shows
consequences of dealing drugs" (March 15 Post):

Rather than attempting to scare the students about the consequences of
being caught with drugs and turn them into obedient little citizens who
will always do what the governments tells them to do, I hope teachers at
China Grove Middle School consider discussing with the kids why governments
prohibit certain drugs.

Is it to protect users from harm

No, that can't be the reason because users suffer more (adulterated drugs
and jail time) when a drug is banned compared to when it is legally
available. My wife and I became well acquainted with this aspect of
government policy when we lost our 19-year-old son to street heroin in
1993. Besides, two of our more dangerous drugs, alcohol and tobacco, are legal.

Is it to reduce the crime associated with illegal drugs?

No, that can't be the reason because banning a drug always gives rise to
more crime (drug cartels, petty crimes by users as prohibition makes drug
prices higher, violent disputes between dealers) than when the drug is
legally available.

Is it to distract attention away from more important issues by conducting a
brutal, Hitler-like pogrom to ruin the lives of the innocent few who ingest
or sell certain drugs -- with the additional "benefit" of allowing our
politicians and cops the pleasure of strutting and preening before us as
they promise to slay the deadly dragon of drugs while sticking the taxpayer
with the cost of bigger budgets?

Bingo!

- -- Alan Randell

Victoria, B.C.