POLITICAL HOT POTATO

Al Gore, and now George W. Bush, has stated they want to increase the
funding for the war on drugs. We need a new approach that actually works to
address the abuse of drugs, and neither candidate is willing to propose new
ideas.

The conventional approaches to the failed war on drugs are supply
interdiction and prison time. After 30 years of using this approach, the
war continues to rage. We need to start concentrating on harm reduction,
controlled regulation and better drug education programs.

How about discussing alternates to the conventional war tactics? Probably
too hot a topic for either candidate to handle.

STEVE HELMS, Southlake, Texas