BETTER WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE EVIL OF DRUG ABUSE

Joe Reimers's letter (Feb. 28, in response to "Mexico Under Siege,"
Americas, Feb. 25), suggests that allowing (but not requiring) all
employers to make their own rules on disciplining drug use in or out
of the workplace, is the most sensible and probably effective idea I
have ever seen. It's also consistent with transferring the issue from
government to the marketplace. If one believes that markets work, why
not give this one a chance?

Adopting Mr. Reimers's plan would reduce the demand for recreational
drugs as users rationally choose their jobs over their drug use.
Criminal sellers here and abroad would feel the loss of their markets.

Our society would benefit from lower drug-related crime rates,
reduced burdens on the criminal justice system, smaller prison
populations (with lower costs to taxpayers and families), and would
free up billions now spent on ineffectual drug enforcement. Is this a
perfect solution?

Not at all. It's just much better than anything we have now.

Samuel Diamond

Philadelphia