Prohibition Has Never Worked

Dear Editor,
    In response to Rich Newman's letter titled Austin Too Stoned to Understand? [“Postmarks,” June 15]: First I'd like to say that your drug of choice was once illegal. This caused a crime wave and corrupted law enforcement. Alcohol is a dangerous drug that causes death in overdose and physical addiction. (Unlike marijuana which never killed anyone in an overdose or causes physical addiction.) Yet, as bad as it is, I would not repeat the mistakes of alcohol prohibition.
    The prohibition of marijuana has repeated the same mistakes. The law against marijuana forces our citizens into a black market where crack, speed, heroin, and other dangerous drugs are sold. It has once again corrupted law enforcement and created criminals where there were none. We should consider changing our laws like Holland that have coffee shops where marijuana and hash are sold. As for hard drugs, we need more rehabilitation programs. Just because something is illegal does not make it bad, or because something is legal it is good. It's time for a change!