EXTRA ZEAL IN ZEALOTRY

So the Taliban have eliminated the opium poppy from Afghanistan [news
story, Feb. 16]? They also have eliminated any vestige of freedom.

Also recently eliminated, according to another report, were about 300
unarmed people systematically slaughtered by Taliban forces. The reign of
the Taliban has been marked by widespread violence. Apparently that climate
of fear made the near-destruction of the opium crop possible. Is that a
model we want in the United States?

The drug war has made it acceptable to demonize illegal drug users in much
the same way the Taliban demonize their rivals, or the Nazis demonized
Jews. No-knock drug raids by SWAT teams have claimed many victims. Our
prisons are bursting with nonviolent offenders.

We can continue escalating the war on drugs until we end up like
Afghanistan, or pursue humane drug policies that protect our citizens and
our Constitution.

Gary Storck, Madison, Wis.