[Hemingway's Ghost]

Well that's the thing: the people who make and prosper from the Drug War (politicians, cops, legal community, rehab community, etc.) have convinced those who support the Drug War (law-and-order right wing types, statist left wing types) that the average drug user, let alone the average drug addict, is a subhuman; a raging psychopath who'd kill your wife, daughter, mother, dog, and you and steal every cent you have to support their drug habit. That's the great thing about this Rush Limbaugh story: here's a drug addict who was able to maintain a job . . . not only that, he was well-respected in his job and highly successful at it. The reason people had a hard time believing the story before Rush admitted it was because he was not the stereotypical drug user.

[Cold Heat]

Right!

Most drug users are contributing members of society, as are most legal alcoholics.

Skid row will always be skid row and that is the stereo type most often used.

As you stated, it is a health problem and has some health remedies that have not been implemented.

As to legalization, I cannot seem to justify it as of yet. But, the legal penalties for use are ridiculous in some states.

As to the dealer, There must be a financial and loss of freedoms cost. We cannot have them selling to our kids.

I view this similarly to prostitution. it does no good to put the john in jail.

[space cadet]

That's the great thing about this Rush Limbaugh story: here's a drug addict who was able to maintain a job . . . not only that, he was well-respected in his job and highly successful at it.

While probably destroying his hearing and his liver.