DRUG POLICY REFORM PART OF LARGER AGENDA

Re "Change of Tune on Drug Policy?" Commentary, May 18: When we talk
about prevention and treatment, let's not forget that drug policy
reform must be part of a larger social agenda that restores fairness
and civility to our country. It won't do a heroin user much good to
get "clean" if she's still living on the streets. The war this
country most recently lost was President Johnson's war on poverty. Now
we have a war on the poor and minorities, and it's called the war on
drugs.

Ellen Komp, Mill Valley, Calif.

Ethan A. Nadelmann's opinion that President Bush may soften U.S. drug
policy was delusional. Bush has appointed fanatical drug warriors to
the key positions. I predict he will jail more people than President
Clinton, who set records. The two parties are beyond hope.

Dan Litwin, San Diego