TOO MANY UNCERTAINTIES EXIST TO LEGALIZE DRUGS

Editor, the Tribune: I note with interest the Jan. 27 Craig Van Matre
column on the drug problem. Van Matre had seen the movie "Traffic" and
concluded that the current law enforcement approach is hopeless. It
would indeed be hard to come to any other conclusion at the end of
this film, the basic reality of which I don't contest; I also saw it.
However, the current situation does not inexorably lead to the
conclusion that legalization is the only solution, as Van Matre, Hank
Waters and other commentators, liberal and conservative alike, seem to
believe. Because the situation is so complex, put me down as
"undecided" until the following are resolved:

If drug use is legalized, it will surely increase as there is no
longer any restraint of fear based upon legal concerns. Can anyone say
with certainty how much higher the percentage of drug use will be if
legalization occurs?

Has anyone closely studied drug legalization experiments now occurring
in Switzerland and the Netherlands? The little I have heard is not
encouraging.

Finally, is it not appropriate for our society to say, through our
elected representatives, that drug use is a menace and contrary to our
core values and that it should therefore be illegal, even if we know
the end result is of dubious efficacy from a criminal justice standpoint?

I don't know what to do. That's why I'm "undecided" and still waiting
for answers to these questions. Hopefully, we'll wait for more answers
before trying legalization.

Name withheld upon request