TIME TO SCRAP FAILED U.S. DRUG LAWS

The Aug. 26 issue contained a column by David Broder, "Time to re-evaluate
war on drugs." Nope. We've had plenty of time to evaluate it.

The war on some drugs is an unmitigated disaster, a complete and utter
failure. It has ruined the lives of millions of peaceful Americans while
shredding our Bill of Rights. It pours hundreds of billions of dollars
annually into the pockets of organized criminals. Since black market
substances are subject to no regulations on purity or labeling, bad drugs
kill thousands every year.

It's time to end this insanity, free all the prisoners of war, offer
realistic information to prevent people from taking drugs in the first
place, and provide voluntary treatment to help them when they decide to stop.

Asa Hutchinson should be directed to administer the complete shutdown of
the Drug Enforcement Agency. The Office of National Drug Policy should be
eradicated. Adults own their bodies. What they choose to ingest is nobody's
business. Personal responsibility works. Give it a try.

BILL St. CLAIR,
New Lebanon