I have to agree with Mike Hohmann. I have long supported the decriminalization of drugs. They tried it in Switzerland -- they gave free drugs to anyone who wanted them for as long as they wanted them. In the beginning addicts were lined up for the free drugs. Then, guess what happened? Drug usage declined dramatically, and people who were formerly unemployable because of their habit WANTED jobs. The thrill of illicit activity was gone, the financial incentive that supported the drug trade was gone, the users were going, going, gone.
However, how likely is that to happen here? Not likely. As you point out, the anti-drug program supports many jobs. (Think of all those chemical dependency counselors needing retraining. YIKES. ;-)) So, I think the real question, the practical question is what can we do other than decriminalize/legalize? Barbara Nelson Burnsville -- Barbara Nelson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are. � John Wooden _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
