THE GROWING NARCO WAR

The deaths of two members of an American
missionary family [in a small plane shot down by the Peruvian
military, which thought the plane was involved in drug smuggling]
should serve as a wake-up call [NATION, May 7]. With innocent
missionaries being killed, Colombia torn apart by prohibition-fueled
violence and America's prison population at record levels, perhaps
it's time for politicians to drop the drug-war hysteria. As a
Christian, I feel I should ask myself, What would Jesus do? The answer
is not to persecute, incarcerate and deny forgiveness to drug
users-the essence of America's zero-tolerance drug policy.

Robert Sharpe, Washington

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Have we learned nothing about the human psyche from
the U.S. Prohibition era? Paraphrasing a popular slogan, It's the
demand, stupid!

Patrick Disante, Harrisburg, Pa.

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While I was quoted correctly in your article "America's Shadow Drug
War," what was omitted may have left the false impression that I
believe interdiction in Latin America alone will resolve America's
drug problem. Interdiction can succeed only if it is accompanied by a
far more vigorous effort to reduce demand in the U.S. and provide more
treatment and rehabilitation programs for hard-core addicts. Demand
drives supply, supply helps create more drug use, and interdiction is
essential, not just to combat drug production but also to defend
democratic institutions in Latin America.

Bernard Aronson

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Washington Show me a government that can break down
your door, cuff you and toss you in jail all because it doesn't like
what you put in your pipe, and I'll show you a government to fear and
loathe. Whether it's pulling over suspicious-looking motorists or
gunning down airborne missionaries, the drug war is a menace to
freedom and security.

John Schuller, Morrow, Ga.

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Lethal, unprovoked violence was the tactic used by Peruvian drug
warriors, aided by the CIA. This is not an efficient way to reduce
drug abuse. Roni Bowers was an innocent victim of friendly fire. We
will continue to see such "collateral damage" until the U.S.
government quits pretending that stopping drug trafficking is worth
killing people for.

Danny Terwey, Santa Cruz, Calif.