Cocaine Use Soared Despite Prohibition
Published: February 18, 1996
To the Editor:
In "No to Legalization" (letter, Feb. 15), William J. Bennett, the former Federal drug czar, writes, "If drugs were legalized, use would soar."
Mr. Bennett proceeds to describe the rapid popularization of crack cocaine in America's inner cities during the 1980's.
But the crack epidemic occurred under the most aggressively enforced "prohibition" in history. What does this have to do with legalization? And why do prohibition's advocates use illogic in making their case?
DAVID BORDEN Director, Drug Reform Coordination Network Washington, Feb. 15, 1996