Perspectives on Drug Prohibition

SOCIAL PRESSURE IS THE 'SIGNAL' THAT WORKS

I write to congratulate Johann Hari on his fine article advocating the
legalisation of currently proscribed drugs. The only argument I have
ever heard against this is that "it will send the wrong signal"; well,
the signal we are sending now is being ignored.

Drugs should be treated like cigarettes -- taxed and controlled. The
decrease in smoking in the last 20 years is entirely due to social
pressure; surely the same thing would work for drugs. It's high time
there was a serious call for the legalisation of drugs and I hope The
Independent will pursue this.

Sarah Fermi

Cambridge