WAR ON DRUGS SHOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL

To the editor:

In the wake of the missionary plane shooting in Peru, more than Peru's
"shoot-down" policy needs to be evaluated.

The whole counterproductive, rights-infringing, corruption-producing,
budget-busting, violence-mongering, freedom-hating, race-baiting, and
lie-fueled war on drugs ought to be put on trial.

Seven-month-old Charity Bowers is not the first innocent child killed in
the drug war, and she won't be the last as long as we continue to accept
the myth that force and violence are the best way to address drug problems.

The fact that any innocents must die is outrageous, regardless of whether
they are missionaries or not. The war is hopeless. We need to try
something different. We need to look at our European counterparts and see
what is working in other countries. Amsterdam statistics reflect lower
drug abuse in the 12+ age brackets. The average age of drug addicts there
is in the 30's. HIV cases amongst IV drug users are a third what they are
here. Drug related homicides are lower. It is about time we wake up and
realize we must choose: to be free or to be drug-free.

Anthony Lorenzo
Tampa, FL