LETTER: Column's stance suggests prohibition

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by Travis Dunbar

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To the editor:

In the March 22 issue of the Thresher , George Hatoun states that, "drug use is bad for our society" and that this position must be supported by "the moral authority of the law" ("Legalizing drugs will result in more addicts, crimes").

He contends that decriminalization is not a suitable national drug policy, for it "would only lead to an increase in drug use, a likely increase in crime and long-term social problems."

To accept this point of view, one must also push for the prohibition of tobacco and alcohol. The use of these drugs is widespread and has lead to many more addictions than other drugs.

Furthermore, alcohol and tobacco are often associated with criminal activity.

If Hatoun wants to eliminate the "bad" element of drugs from our society and "protect the weaker members of society from themselves," he should be attacking the two most common drugs in the nation.

Travis Dunbar

Jones '96

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the March 29, 1996 issue.

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