DEMONIZING DRUG USERS STEP IN WRONG DIRECTION

In response to "Drugs: Don't minimize their ill effects" (Dec. 12 Forum):

"Vampires and werewolves"? Neil Doherty's opposition to drugs sounds like
it's right out of "Reefer Madness." Instead of scare-mongering, Mr. Doherty
should look hard at the inevitable consequences of unworkable bans.

Americans have been through this before. The bans on booze and sex were
ugly, but the drug ban is a masterpiece of injustice and brutality. People
can be justly prosecuted only for crimes that violate another's freedom.
What's truly "primitive" is a society that punishes citizens for behavior
that is strictly personal. We especially don't need government to protect
us from ourselves when it means we'll be thrown into jail.

Al Hunt,
Salisbury