PROHIBITION OF DRUGS SOWS VIOLENCE

The story about the havoc wrought by Craig Petties (June 27 and July
4 special report, "Blood trade") was tragic, but it could have been
avoided. Violence is the predictable and tragic consequence of drug
prohibition. People continue to demand drugs in large quantities,
drug suppliers have to resort to violence to settle disputes because
they are barred from formal legal channels, and the conditions
created by prohibition itself make it more profitable to be a
criminal. The same factors that produced the horrors of alcohol
prohibition have also produced the horrors of drug prohibition.

Blood and violence are the price we pay for prohibition. It's a price
that's far too high.

Art Carden

Memphis