Drug prohibition should end

Publisher Roger Harnack’s Dec. 17 column has some insight: America loves prohibitions — 1915, drug prohibition; 1919, alcohol prohibition; and 2020, prohibition against spreading the new cold virus.

Some features of prohibition, “speakeasies” and drug houses, pop up all over the place. Tommy guns, Mac 9s and throw-away guns make the streets loud with murder as merchants compete. Poisoned alcohol killed many thousands, and poisoned street drugs kill hundreds of thousands.

Large industries, promoted in secret whispers, chew on the country’s social fabric, bringing disrespect for authority and law enforcement, and bring drugs to our families.

When alcohol prohibition ended, the Tommy guns went silent, and the regulated businesses resumed selling the drug.

Once the new cold virus and its vaccines have created herd immunity, the newest prohibition will end. Meanwhile, reduce the dose — wash your hands, keep your distance and change your mask, occasionally.

Harnack’s main point? Support your local illegal businesses, because if they can’t pay their bills, they will die.

Unfortunately, the oldest prohibition is still with us.

I wonder how long we will have to suffer the monopoly-powered drug pushing, and the black market crime and violence.

When drug prohibition ends (if we do it correctly), the black market will die, and its Mac 9s and throw-away guns will go silent.

Wiley Hollingsworth,

Pullman