DRUG LAWS ERODE OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES

I agree with Redford Givens (In Your View, Sept. 26) that prohibition never
achieved its stated goal. I also point out that the most obvious evidence
of our loss of civil rights is demonstrated by the fact that alcohol
prohibition required an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, whereas drug
prohibition was slipped in through the back door of Congress (read the
history of the Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914 and the Marijuana Tax Act of
1936, and the Controlled Substances Act of 1970), then buttressed by false
evidence.

Our citizens need to wake up to our loss of civil liberties before they've
all gone up in smoke.

Ray Carlson
Redwood City, Calif.