NEW APPROACHES

Letter writer John Stevenson ("I don't sympathize," May 24) echoes
the thoughts of many Floridians who are impatient with the actions
and choices of drug abusers.

He seems baffled by the numerous letters in your newspaper over the
past 90 days that are critical of current drug policies, and
specifically references my own letter ("Bush's bad choice," May 16),
in which I spoke against drug czar nominee John Walters.

Contrary to his impression of my agenda, neither I nor most drug
policy reformers view drug addicts as victims. Rather, we view them
for what they are, which is our neighbors and family members who
struggle with their compulsive use of various substances.

Those of us in the "drug policy think tanks" believe that all drug
abusers, including those who abuse alcohol (our nation's most
commonly abused substance), should face the consequences of their
choices. Where we differ from traditional thinking is in our belief
that adding a prison sentence to those consequences does nothing to
aid true recovery or rehabilitation.

It is not so much an empathy for drug abusers (though many of us do
have such feelings) as it is our desire to try more rational and
productive approaches in addressing America's very real problems with
substance abuse.

STEPHEN HEATH Drug Policy Forum of Florida Clearwater