JUST SAY NO TO NAMES

The Drug Policy Forum of Texas was mischaracterized by Tulia Chamber of
Commerce President Lana Barnett in her Oct. 26 column, "Media coloring the
truth in Tulia."

She wrote: "The Kunstler Foundation is for the legalization of drugs, as is
the Houston-based Drug Policy Forum of Texas . . ."

Please allow me to set the record straight.

The DPFT exists to disseminate scientific information and expert opinion
while promoting discussion of alternatives to a failed drug war, but it does
not specify a final answer. Our goal is to minimize the severe damage done
by both drug abuse and poorly conceived laws.

Some members want to regulate and legalize, much as we do with alcohol.

Some would restrict that statement to marijuana only. Many members feel that
the best policy must eliminate the drug cartels, but prefer the regulation
be more like that accorded to prescription drugs, a much stricter control
than is provided by the "legalization" of alcohol. Others are more engaged
in fighting each injustice or ineffective aspect of the drug war step by
step with less emphasis on a systemic overhaul.

All agree that unrestricted debate is a healthy process, essential for
a democracy.

Also for the record, when DPFT supported the right to protest of the Friends
of Justice - whom Barnett chose to tar - they made it clear to DPFT that
they were not protesting the drug laws per se, but their Draconian and
racist application in Tulia. The facts of the case made their claims
credible. It's also clear that the drug war has produced Draconian
punishments and severely racist outcomes across the country.

We suggest that justice will be better served if we all address those facts
rather than resort to name-calling or charges of guilt by association.

Jerry Epstein, President,
Drug Policy Forum of Texas, Houston