> Smoking a rock of crack, I am told by the hundreds I arrested, grabs you by the neck the first time. They tell me they get a high that can never be reached again, yet they constantly try. I'd hate to be in their shoes.

THERE is the information I've been looking for. First-hand experience talking to a statistically significant number of users that it WILL hook you the first time. You have now convinced me that crack is NOT legalizable. It's in a different class than alcohol.

I don't do any drugs (other than occasional alcohol -- mostly at DevCons <g&g -- and massive caffiene), so I don't know. Most people can take or leave alcohol, and it takes a while to become an addict. From what I hear, same with marijuana. For the rest, I'm really fuzzy. It sounds like there are a number that are in the alcohol/marijuana category. How many illegal drugs bite on the first try, like crack? And why do people try this stuff in the first place? (For all I know, these are rhetorical questions...they may not have answers).

- della