A SHARED SOLUTION

Your July 9 editorial, "A Shared Battle - U.S.,
Mexico alike must fight drug war," contains disturbing rhetoric. Your
editorialist stated "A new and more sincere effort ... to reengage ... and
rededicate itself to winning the war on drugs." Please. Define winning.
What will the world be like, once we "win" this war of Americans against
Americans?

The News will be pleased to know that there is a grass roots effort under
way this very month, signaling a new level of cooperation on the war on
some drugs between Mexico and the United States. This month, I will be
flying to Mexico City to bestow the official charter of the first chapter
of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) in
Mexico. The Dallas Morning News will get exactly what it called for in its
editorial; for President Vicente Fox to "make the lives of
narco-traffickers very difficult." Taking away black market profit is sure
to be very difficult on the traffickers, indeed!

The U.S. dangerously refuses to make the hard decisions necessary to reduce
the harm associated with a black market. Because of corruption on the U.S.
side that is so deeply entrenched, only the lowest levels (sheriffs, Border
Patrol, street cops) on this side are caught. The Mexicans realize the
corruption has to be at least as deep and high up as is in Mexico. Also,
the original marijuana laws were intended to persecute Mexicans. It works
so well today, that even Mexicans are persecuting Mexicans, so gringos can
smoke Mexican pot. Thanks to NORML, Mexico now realizes it. Does The News
realize this, as well?

The strategy of the Mexicans is simple, yet profound. Simply put, Mexico,
as has Canada, must take the stance of global leader, and make the hard
decisions for its weak-spirited northern neighbor concerning drugs.
Marijuana must be regulated for adult use on both sides of the border. This
will destroy the traffickers, and their network of co-conspirators again,
on both sides of the border. Soon the only ones screaming for marijuana to
remain illegal are those who legally or illegally profit from its continued
prohibition. In the end, this will do more to end the horrors of the harm
associated with illegal drug trafficking, than the failed policy of the
last 67 years. Save us, Mexico: Do the right thing!

RICK D. DAY, Executive Director, Texas, NORML, Dallas, Texas