DRUG WAR SUCCEEDING ONLY IN THROWING MONEY AWAY

Gregory Kane's Aug. 3 Opinion article "Snitch gets rich as 'war' goes
nowhere" is right on the money with regard to today's worldwide drug
problem. Trying to eliminate illegal drug use is without a doubt
impossible. History illustrates what happened when the government tried to
eliminate alcohol. Mr. Kane clearly pointed out the alcohol hypocrisy in
comparison with drugs.

The only way to control the problem is to legalize drugs. I am sure only
the hint of such a plan would put the fear of God in every politician, not
to mention all the criminal elements that produce, distribute and sell
illicit drugs. They would be put out of business. I do not know what it
will take for our leaders to face reality without being afraid of total
condemnation by their naive constituents.

The enormous amount of money being spent on drug-related programs,
including payoffs to characters like the one described in Mr. Kane's
column, the $1 billion-plus budgeted for Colombia and the law- enforcement
costs related to drug problems all could be saved and used on other
priorities. With legalized drugs, the government would be able to target
education programs to many of the most needy. Granted, legalizing drugs
will not solve all the problems, but it surely would be a step in the right
direction.

FRANK J. ZINGHINI, Tequesta