DRUG WAR AN INDUSTRY

I'm writing about Gwynne Dyer's thoughtful column "Cops Against
Prohibition" (Jan. 11, 2007). Our so-called drug war and our war and
occupation of Iraq are similar. Both were started with lies and under
false pretenses. What we have now is an occupation of Iraq.
Occupations cannot be won. The so-called war on drugs cannot be won.
Who is going to surrender and sign the peace treaty? The war on drugs
is an industry and huge bureaucracy. The goal of the drug war is not
to win, but rather to continue and to expand. The only way to end the
drug war is to re-legalize the products that are now prohibited and
sell them in legal, licensed and regulated business establishments
like we do with the drug alcohol and tobacco products. Those
benefiting from our drug prohibition policies will do everything in
their power to make sure this doesn't happen.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.