PROHIBITION REDUX

Thank you for publishing Clark Hosmer's insightful letter ("To end the
war," May 3), which I encountered on the Internet, about the miserable
failures of America's War on (Certain) Drugs.

The use of ever more violent, arbitrary and unconstitutional law
enforcement tactics in the drug war - as well as the explosion of gang
activity in our cities, and increasing corruption in government and law
enforcement - are painful reminders of the failure of alcohol Prohibition.

In the end, Americans decided that it was better to handle the societal
problem of alcohol abuse through regulated markets, education and treatment
than by creating a black market and handing it over to a bunch of heavily
armed thugs like Al Capone.

Isn't it about time we considered a similar change in our policy toward
other drugs?

KEITH SANDERS

Oakland, Calif.