DRUG WAR ALTERNATIVES

Maureen McDonald should be commended for coming up with some alternative
programs to keep children off drugs and move their lives in a positive
direction ("Drug, alcohol abuse can be eradicated," July 25).

Our children are casualties of the War on Drugs, along with people of
color, the urban poor and many of the more than 2 million people
incarcerated in our jails and prisons. However, saving some children from
drugs still leaves the problem: inexpensive drugs readily available to
anyone who wants them.

We need to begin moving this issue to a public health model. Let's put an
end to incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders and stop building prisons in
Michigan. We can use the money we save to invest in our schools and
after-school programs. Let's get addicts the treatment they need. And let's
realize that to get drugs out of the hands of drug-dealers, we need some
type of regulation. This will help keep our kids off drugs, our citizens
out of prison and end the corruption and violence associated with the
prohibition of drugs.

Debra S. Wright Ann Arbor