There was some research published recently that showed only 3% of people
decided not to use an illegal drug *because* it's illegal, meaning
prohibition is 97% ineffective as a deterrent. Unfortunately, I forgot to
bookmark it and I need it for an article. Google is less than helpful, so
does anybody have a link, or recall the author?


Thanks.

-- 
Dr John Watson
Baker Street

In article  Dr John Watson  writes:
>There was some research published recently that showed only 3% of people
>decided not to use an illegal drug *because* it's illegal, meaning
>prohibition is 97% ineffective as a deterrent. Unfortunately, I forgot to
>bookmark it and I need it for an article. Google is less than helpful, so
>does anybody have a link, or recall the author?

In searching for it I found a book that looks very interesting.  It's titled
"Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use" by Jacob Sullum.  A review of the book
can be found at:


    http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?articleID=46&issueID=13

An interesting passage from the book that is quoted in the review is:

    Seeking a medical or religious exemption from drug prohibition amounts to
    asserting that my use of this substance is important, that it deserves
    respect in a way that more frivolous uses do not ... . The urge to offer
    such excuses is based on the sense that drug use is morally suspect
    without an elaborate and serious sounding defense... . Wine drinkers
    generally do not feel compelled to proclaim that their beverage was
    endorsed by God, that it relieves anxiety or reduces their risk of heart
    disease. They simply say, "I like a nice glass of wine." (pp. 267-268)

And of course, a good reference for drug use statistics, etc., is:

    http://www.briancbennett.com

-Pete Zakel
 (phz@seeheader.nospam)

"IMPORTANT NOTE: When I talk about fish, I am not talking about whales.
 Whales are mammals:  they have feelings and can talk to each other, just
 like you and me.  The only difference between whales and humans is that
 whales mate for life."
					-Dave Barry, "Something Fishy Here"

Yeah, its surprising sometimes to find out how many people you know
smoke pot.

On Feb 1, 2:32 am, Dr John Watson 
wrote:
> There was some research published recently that showed only 3% of people
> decided not to use an illegal drug *because* it's illegal, meaning
> prohibition is 97% ineffective as a deterrent. Unfortunately, I forgot to
> bookmark it and I need it for an article. Google is less than helpful, so
> does anybody have a link, or recall the author?
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Dr John Watson
> Baker Street