SLOGANS FAIL IN DRUG WAR

After reading Becky Harris' letter (Public Viewpoint, Feb. 11), I
have become convinced that the biggest tragedy of the drug war is not
the addicts struggling with their illness, not the kids who use drugs
instead of learning about Shakespeare and chemistry and not even the
overtaxed citizens whose dollars are being squandered in failed
policies.

Instead, I now believe that the biggest tragedy of the drug war is
people like Ms. Harris. She, like many others, has followed Nancy
Reagan's brainless exhortation to "Just Say No." And, in this case,
Just Say No means Don't Think About It, Don't Talk About It and Don't
Question Official Policy.

After years of exposure to apparently successful government
propaganda, Ms. Harris is willing to cover her ears and eyes to the
truth. Drug policy has failed. She doesn't want to know it.

Every year, we have spent more money, now up to $40 billion per year.

Every year, we have put more police on the streets, equipped them
with military hardware and trained them in commando tactics. Every
year, we have built more prisons, all with a terrible toll in human
misery.

And yet, for all the money, police, prisons, and suffering, the
federal Drug Abuse Warning Network reports that drug abuse soared to
record peaks in 1999: An estimated 555,000 Americans were treated in
hospitals for drug-related visits and at least 11,600 died from
overdoses. Another 1999 survey showed that high-school seniors could
obtain heroin and marijuana more easily than anytime since 1975.

Obviously, Just Say No is not working. The situation cries out for
our careful attention and new ideas. Call it Just Say Know.

But drug policy is complex. Many politicians and others with vested
interests prefer the status quo. It serves well that people like Ms.
Harris are afraid to ask questions or think for themselves.

Even when a well-made movie like "Traffic" comes along that portrays
the big picture in a compelling and thought-provoking manner, it
seems the Ms. Harrises of the world will still just say no.

Denele Campbell, Executive Director

Alliance for Reform of Drug Policy in Arkansas, Inc