WAR ON DRUGS

Sir: Three of your correspondents (8 September) rightly decry the cruel,
stupid and wholly misnamed "War on Drugs".

As ever, our government sycophantically follows and applauds the United
States, where most of the enthusiasm for waging this "war" comes from. I
wonder what they consider to be the "enemy" exactly? Is it those who take
drugs? Is it the substances themselves? Or is it simply that governments
generally don't like the idea of their citizens getting high, no matter how
responsibly?

Perhaps we would do better to declare a cease-fire in this nonsensical war,
which is in any event being lost, and instead see how we can begin to
minimise by more peaceful means the undisputed misery that often arises in
connection with prohibition and substance abuse. This will require vision
and courage on the part of our leaders: vision to see a better path forward
and courage to risk the disapproval of the Americans and conservative
Middle-Englanders who protest loudly at the thought of any policy shift. A
Royal Commission would be a good first step and is urgently needed.

With the enormous amounts of money involved in the drugs trade, there are
some powerful vested interests keen to maintain the status quo. What drug
baron wants to see his profits disappear with legalisation? And what
government agency director wants to see his job and influence vanish?

Ronald and Nancy Reagan famously exhorted us to "Just say No." Perhaps it
is time to reflect on the words of another American, Timothy Leary, who
replied: "Just say Know."

- -- Robin Prior, Southall, Middlesex

Sir: As a chemist, I found your article on black cocaine (report, 8
September) to be particularly amusing. Heavy-handed government agencies are
fighting an unjust war against plants and plant by-products that are in
high demand. It stands to reason that producers and consumers will seek
better alternatives in concealment.

For the past few years, I have been studying biochemistry and believe that
all the tools needed to end this vicious war on drugs are in the hands of
scientists. We have the means available to find the genes responsible for
production of almost any chemical in plants. We can now copy these genes
and introduce them into other plant species (yes, we call it cloning). In a
few short years, the drug warriors could be attempting to eradicate new
varieties of maize; let's call them "corncaine" and "cornijuana".

The governments fight with lies, coercion, and violence. The intellectuals
fight with ideas and information. History will choose the victor.

Danny Terwey, Santa Cruz, -- California

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson