DRUG STRATEGIES NOT WORKING

The Times' recent story about Mexican authorities not arresting Vicente
Carrillo Fuentes when they had the chance is no surprise to me -- and I am
sure no surprise to our law-enforcement officials. Recently, there was a
very enlightening documentary on PBS called "The Drug War." I believe this
is a losing battle.

Law-enforcement agencies are not even working together to tackle this
insurmountable problem. The money involved in this ugly market is
unimaginable and can so easily corrupt nearly any weak human. And let's not
get self-righteous and point the fingers only toward the Mexican
government. There's plenty of blame for our nation, too.

Because we can't beat the big bad guys, then should we go after the user?
Obviously this isn't working, either. In prisons, drug users are pulled
away from their families and support systems.

My husband has always argued that the only solution is legalizing drugs. At
first this argument was offensive, but logic and reason can only point to
this as a solution.

Take the drugs out of the hands of the criminals and let the government
control it and use the funds from the selling of drugs to help people turn
their lives around.

Veronica Saenz-Segura

Lower Valley