Why not tax and regulate all currently illegal drugs instead of locking up all those who are involved in their acquisition and use?

We could still imprison those who break the law while under the influence of drugs for the crime they committed while under the influence and those who use recreational drugs responsibly could pay a tax when buying a regulated product.

Alcohol prohibition failed, and now its use is regulated, although there are still problems associated with alcohol abuse, surely our current approach is better than outright prohibition.

Similarly, the War on Drugs spawns the same evils that alcohol prohibition did, namely, corruption, gangs, violence, and unknown purity levels of already dangerous substances. By using the criminal justice system to address drug addiction the burden ends up on the taxpayer. Drug addiction is a public health issue and should be treated as such, not a matter for the criminal justice system.

Dan Linn

Chicago