To the Editor,
Re: Prohibitionists losing legal debate, Letters, Jan. 10.
Thank you for publishing Whelm King’s letter outlining some of the major failings and fallacies of prohibition.
I am tempted to go one step further and ask myself why someone would support such a harmful and ridiculous public policy?
I believe the answer is that the staunchest supporters of prohibition are people who have a personal problem with drug or alcohol use.
The facts show that approximately four per cent of our population is susceptible to addiction to drugs or alcohol and 96 per cent of us can use these substances in moderation or not at all.
This addiction characteristic appears to be based on genetic predisposition or some learned behaviour patterns.
For those that fall into the four per cent range, it is easier to assume that everyone else is just like me rather than admit that they have personal genetic or behavioral problem, thus they feel the need to prohibit these substances from everyone.
Heal thyself, prohibitionist, and leave the rest of us alone.
Dave Lane
Santa Cruz, CA
