JUSTIFY WAR ON DRUGS

I don't know why the U. S. government is waging its war on drugs.

I do know it was declared by Richard Nixon 30 years ago. However, it did
not come to an end along with his term of service. I also know the reasons
for this war are lost in history. Those reasons are not discussed any
more. Actually, I don't know if they ever were publicly discussed.

Perhaps the billions of tax dollars spent every year on this ancient policy
are justified. Perhaps the millions of nonviolent people in prison for
drug possession need to be incarcerated to protect society. Perhaps it is a
good idea for federal agents to interfere with marijuana use by sick people
even though the voters and lawmakers in their own state think it is OK.

If there is anyone out there who believes the war on drugs is a good
policy, I hope they speak out. Airing this information could do a lot of
good. It could prop up support for this aging policy. It could also
convince potential drug users not to do so.

I don't know why the government is waging its war on drugs, but I should.

Paul Mulwitz
Camas, Wash.