Kathy Sterba [Viewpoints, Feb. 4] asks, "Why are youth becoming so
violent?" One of the major answers is that it is a natural by-product of
the War on Drugs. Today's Prohibition echoes the past.

The illegal drug trade is a huge dollar producer on the world market, some
$500 billion by one United Nations estimate. Competition for franchises and
other disputes are routinely settled by violence. Innocent children often
feel forced to arm themselves for protection from their peers and the
wanton disregard for human life.

Inner cities have often been compared to war zones. Several generations
have now been raised in this atmosphere, and increasing profits guarantee
that future generations will also succumb to the temptations of easy money.

No amount of coercion will overcome this plague. Until we have sense enough
to eradicate the drug lords and their black market by taking over supply,
perhaps by doctors treating
addicts, we can only expect worse.

Jerry Epstein