Legalizing Illicit Drugs

William Kunstler (Op-Ed, Dec. 15, “Why Not Sell at the Local Pharmacy?”) continues the cry for drug legalization. Typically he raises the specter of violence, illicit profits, etc. and reaches the perfectly logical conclusion that prohibition doesn’t work. Certainly, no thinking person would disagree with him. He fails, however, to point out that legalization (of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine) is hardly a howling success.

Since our society has been so unsuccessful in “educating and treating” the current crop of boozers, smokers and coffee drinkers, what in the world makes Kunstler and all the rest think that, once legalized, the control of the much more addictive and psychoactive substances such as cocaine, marijuana and heroin will be so simple?

W. S. McKANE

Fullerton