From: [e--lo--r] at [ziggys.cts.com] (Diehl Ahriex) 619/262-6384 Newsgroups: alt.drugs Subject: Dear Abby Does It Again !!! Date: Wed, 22 Jun 94 00:08:55 PDT Once again, 'Dear Abby' sounds the call to lay down arms in the WOsD : It's time to sound retreat in wasteful war on drugs Dear Readers: Yesterday I published letters from some readers who disagreed that drugs should be legalized. Today we'll hear from some of the surprisingly large number who favor legaliza- tion. Dear Abby: I commend you for sharing your misgivings about America's war on drugs. You are not alone. Milton Friedman, George Schultz and William Buckley (to mention a few conserva- tives) have all looked askance at the results of indiscriminate drug prohibition: overcrowded prisons, eroded civil liberties, disrespect for laws in general and a huge, growing black market. Countries like the Netherlands regulate popular use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis without fear of social collapse. Is it sur- prising that while the Dutch government trusts its citizens to behave moderately, drug abuse is less of a problem there? American kids perceive the contradiction of our government telling them to "just say no" while continuing to subsidize the tobacco industry. -- Oregon Reader Dear Abby: I'm an inmate convicted of possession of an excess of 1 ounce of marijuana, which is a felony here in Georgia. I wholeheartedly agree on the legalization of certain controlled substances. I have smoked marijuana off and on for 30 years -- since I was 19 -- and i have known people who have smoked it who are now in their 50s and 60s. All are reliable family people, and none has committed a violent crime. In Atlanta last year, there was a smoke fest, and 30,000 people gathered. Pot was smoked openly, there were no arrests and everyone behaved in a proper manner. Look at Sweden and other countries where pot is legal, and you will see it has done no harm to their people. -- Inmate 321943, Forsyth, GA. Dear Abby: While many will find the idea of legalizing drugs morally repugnant, people don't seem to realize that with the stroke of a pen we could eliminate the following: * Wasted money and human lives spent on continuing the war on drugs -- which was lost long ago. * Street gangs, and the violence and death associated with them. (They survive on drug sales.) * A majority of robberies, burglaries, carjackings and muggings -- which are mostly perpetrated by addicts in need of money for drugs. Morality is one thing, but when are we going to wake up and solve all these major problems with one simple bill? A prescription system might be the most sensible solution. -- Common Sense in Sherman Oaks Dear Abby: I believe our government's scare tactics have backfired, making criminals out of decent citizens. In addition, no one can estimate the quality of drugs sold illegally under the table by crooks. If drugs were treated the way alcohol and cigarettes are -- regulated and taxed -- our country would be a much saner place. I am an occupational therapist with the U.S.Navy. (Please withold my name for obvious reasons.) -- Madrid, Spain -------------------------------end----------------------------------------- 'Dear Abby' promises one more letter tomorrow - unknown whether it'll be pro or con, but there must be some special reason she's holding it for tomorrow.......... You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try! -- Beverly Sills EXPLORER