AID PACKAGE WON'T MAKE DRUGS DISAPPEAR

I agree with Arianna Huffington when she says the plan to spend $1.7
billion on so-called drug-war aid to Colombia is "nuts" ("Latest priority
in drug war," Commentary, March 15). Why isn't the U.S. government making
more of an effort to aid the millions of addicts who aren't receiving
treatment?

The aid package won't make drugs disappear from the United States, or
Colombia for that matter.

I'm an American taxpayer who will receive no benefit from this bill. It
appears that this is an attractive plan to a few corporate profiteers and
government officials in both countries.

I think it is disgusting that the Clinton administration chooses to bundle
this aid as part of a larger emergency-spending package that includes
military health care and relief from natural disasters such as Hurricane
Floyd. This isn't about drug-war aid or caring about people, it's about
already rich people getting richer.

ELLEN HERNDON ATKINS
Mineral, Va.