From: cblanc@pomona.claremont.edu (Muffavore)
Subject: SHEEP CORPSES MAKE THE BEST LAYS
Organization: Pomona College
Date: 14 Dec 92 15:23:11 PST

> First logical error -- assuming your conclusion.
> 
> Rather than asking "would legalization of drugs lead to worse consequences?",
> the conclusion is assumed and stated as "since drugs are so destructive,
> of course legalization would lead to worse consequences."

	Drugs are a tool -- destructive is the mind of the user if the drug has
adverse effects.  This is excepting some of the narcotics such as cocaine,
which seems to be evil even in its most benign forms.

> Again, assuming the conclusion.
> 
> With a beginning like this, it is almost hopeless to read further.  You
> already know the writer is completely biased and you should just throw the
> report on the trash heap where it belongs.  There is no indication of any
> objective assessment.
> 

	Agreed.  Too much of the Reagan Administration Rhetoric -- why focus on
real problems when we can beat on the druggies?

> The drug that comes closest to this as far as I can tell is alcohol, a
> legal drug.

	Alcohol is the most predictable drug I have experienced, but other than
that, there is no reason why it should be legal.  It kills brain cells.  It is
addictive.  As a functional alcoholic, I stand for its availability, but cannot
comprehend why other drugs (dope, acid, heroin) are illegal when I can bullshit
almost anyone into selling me alcohol...

> |>negatively affects the mind as well. Alcohol and cigarettes kills more
> |>people than illegal drugs precisely because they _are_ legal - because
> |>so many more people use them. We have more public health problems than
> |>can presently be handled as a result of alcohol and cigarettes.
> |>Legalized drugs would overwhelm our public health system.
> 
> This sounds like an argument for Prohibition of alcohol and tobacco to me.
> Time to reform the temperance movement!

	No, that's bullshit.  Sounds like humanity to me -- it's Kitty Dukakis
syndrome:  people will do whatever they have to to get fucked up, whether it's
legal or not.  The responsibility of the government is protection; so, I guess
it's logical to legalize drugs and keep them clean, instead of street shit,
which may or may not be the drug requested, and may or may not be safe.

> 
> |>and then they are carefully regulated, requiring prescriptions from
> |>licensed physicians. It is only because of their medically beneficial
> |>effects that they are allowed. What possible beneficial effect is there
> |>from marijuana cocaine, [sic] LSD, PCP, or heroin to justify legalizing
> 
> In addition to what Sameer has mentioned, LSD has been used successfully for
> treatment of alcohol addiction and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

	Alcohol addiction treatment?  Think it's bullshit, but it's a nice
idea.  Regardless, LSD has recreational uses; who is the government to tell us
no?
	PTSD perhaps.  Sounds like risky treatment, though.

> 
> |	I think that PCP is used as an anesthetic in veterinary
> |medicine. (I could be mistaken.)
> 
> Yes.  Its original use on people was as a "safe" anasthetic for women in
> childbirth, but it was quickly discontinued from that use after it was
> discovered to be inducing frightening hallucinations, etc.

	Chimpanzee tranq?

> 
> |+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
> || 	I have no proof, but I believe that *THE*_*CIA*_*IS*_*THE*   |
> || *SINGLE*_*LARGEST*_*SMUGGLER*_*OF*_*COCAINE*_*INTO*_*THE*_*UNITED* |
> || *STATES*.                                                          |
> |+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

	Not being prone to conspiracy theories and having faith in the
capitalist nature of all humans, I think this is bullshit, but I think it's
worth noting that our government seems to have no scruples about selling drugs
to finance their wars -- so, I guess this means we should not respect the laws?
Seems a moral imperative to disrespect them.  Rape a nun for Jesus!

Muffavore
Xref: sparky alt.drugs:19760 sci.med:22614