GREAT HOAX

Ted Koppel on his `Nightline' program recently exposed the futility
and the horror of the War on Drugs.

To those not yet awakened from their hysteria-induced delirium, you
should look back to the original drug czar, Harry Anslinger, in the
early 20th century, who made no secret of his racially inspired
hysteria. It has been perpetuated ever since very effectively by the
mass media.

So I understand how difficult it will be to break down decades of
propaganda. But when people start examining the small truths, it will
all become apparent -- truths like the fact that the state of
California spends more money on prisons to lock up nonviolent
offenders than it does on education.

Propagandists freely interchange the terms `abuse' and `use,' making
it seem that everyone who ever took a puff of marijuana is an abuser.
It is also common to voice concern for "the kids," who in reality
have much easier access to unregulated substances than they do
regulated alcohol.

To me, it is no longer a question of if the public will become aware
of this great hoax that is costing it billions each year, but when it
will become aware.

David Sanders
Arlington