I do have a bit of a quibble with this one statement. Yes it is more potent. In the same way a $10.00 bill is more valuable than a $1.00 bill. But if you use 10 of the ones it will be the same. Yes Heroin is converted to morphine in the body. But it pretty much does nothing until it is converted to morphine.

Not so. The acetylated ester of morphine (heroin) is a psychoactive drug in and of itself. And it is much more potent (in and of itself) than simple morphine. The fact that it is converted into morphine in the liver only makes it worse.

Consider the fact of shooting or smoking heroin. The effect is immediate. There is no need to wait for processing by the liver. There is an immediate and powerful effect at doses 1/100th of those required for morphine itself. That is why heroin is so much more popular among certain heroin junkies who are not interested in the long term effect, but are only interested in the 'rush' associated with shooting up. Morphine (no matter how much you load into the needle) will just never get you to that point. You cannot 'simulate' heroin just bt doing more morphine. It just doesn't work.

"As for alcohol, as I said, I think alcohol should be more strictly regulated. There's no reason it needs to be sold in supermarkets or convenience stores."

That IS the situation here in Virginia. I don't see where it makes a lot of difference.

Is it? I didn't know that! In VA.? When did that happen? Either way, I bet it does make a difference whether you see it or not. As I said, it means that there are no impulse purchases while someone is shopping for groceries. That makes a difference. But did you mean HARD alcohol? Or any alcohol? Can you get beer and wine in supermarkets in VA? Because I was including that. Any alcohol.

I remember seeing a study years ago that basically said the problem was more a function of the person (an addictive personality if you will) than the substance it self. While I don't think it is totally accurate, there is probably a great deal of truth in it. It would explain the alcoholic who when unable to get ethanol will use methanol.

There is truth to that. But then there are all the in between types who will drink (or use drugs) only if they are conveniently available. Make them work a little harder and they will not do it. Make it easy for them... and they will. For some it is as simple as the availability. Make it a little harder and they will use it a little less.