DRUG WAR IGNORES HISTORY

Re: "Bill would help fund drug fight in Mexico" (Jan. 18):

Our politicians play on our fears to make us more accepting of their
waste of lives and resources. Our government spends more than $40
billion per year on anti-drug abuse. Add another $850 million!

If our mission was to build a paramilitary style police force, huge
prison industry and totalitarian state, by George we've done it! War
creates a booming economy for some on the suffering of many.

Drug warriors are so befuddled by the noble idea of preventing drug
abuse, they ignore the lessons of history.

No legitimate business lasts long if it kills its customers or shoots
the competition. No legitimate business would sell drugs to children
or recruit minors to sell to their peers. This happened during
alcohol prohibition.

Once again, today, prohibition triggers more danger to the user and
society by increasing violent crime and corruption of public officials.

I would like to see a public safety debate. Prohibition triggers
violence in our streets and along our borders. Celebrate our
similarities; instead of walls or more prisons, build bridges of
tolerance to differences in religion, race and lifestyle.

Treatment of drug abuse saves people and money.

Colleen Minter

Stephenville