YES ON PROPOSITION 36

UNLESS candidates for state and national elections start publicly
discussing alternatives to the "war on drugs,'' I plan to vote yes on
Proposition 36.

Proposition 36 is not a perfect solution. It's a desperate cry from
California taxpayers who refuse to waste any more tax dollars on failed
prohibition policies.

If Proposition 36 fails, nothing will change, and non-violent drug users
will continue to be treated as criminals. If it passes, drug users will be
treated as patients, and California's government will be forced to change
its controlled substances policies.

Not until George W. Bush and Al Gore openly and honestly debate drug policy
reform will I consider changing my vote, imperfect though Proposition 36
may be.

Lew Mermelstein
Palo Alto