NO CLOSER TO WINNING THE WAR ON DRUGS

In the article "Armed holdups rising statewide," (Jan. 27) Vermont
State Police Major Tom L'Esperance notes correctly that for addicts,
"Your addiction drives everything. There is no more important charge
in your life than to buy drugs." What about those addicted to
alcohol? Have we read recently about any armed robberies to satisfy
an alcoholic's addition?

Alcohol is legal, regulated and taxed so the price is reasonable and
the profits are in line. Recreational users and addicts can acquire
it at a reasonable price. Robbery is not necessary to own it. Illegal
drugs are illegal, unregulated and untaxed so the price is enormous
and the profits are beyond what a drug company executive could
imagine. So, underground entrepreneurs who are risk-takers will take
the risks for these huge profits from this government program.

In the 1930s when alcohol was prohibited as illegal drugs are now,
the politicians and the citizens connected the dots. Prohibition was
repealed. Then, we lost sight of our historical enlightenment. In
1971, Richard Nixon declared his "War on Drugs." We have been at this
war for 36 years and we are no closer to winning it than we were 36 years ago.

In the 1930s the citizens and the politicians chose to repeal
Prohibition. They must have known that prevention does not work by
passing criminal laws; that the solution is through education and
treatment. The lesson I guess is that criminal laws are not effective
to prevent the use of any substance that is in strong demand.

Fred Chase

Stowe