IT'S POLITICAL SUICIDE TO SPEAK AGAINST PROHIBITION

As a retired police officer, I applaud and agree with the arguments
made in The Gazette's editorial on the failure of drug prohibition. As
one who is educating Congress on this disastrous policy, I know how
difficult it is for politicians to say the three hardest words in the
language: I was wrong.

>From Gov. Bill Ritter and former Gov. Bill Owens to nearly every
politician in Colorado, no one wants to inform the citizens that the
billions they have spent and continue to spend are completely wasted.
Drugs are stronger, cheaper and very easy for our children to buy.
What else does a parent need to know?

As a prosecutor, Ritter knew every drug dealer he ever sent to jail
was replaced long before the steel door clanged shut. However,
informing the public of that dirty little secret would be political
suicide, so he commits the shabbiest of all lies; the silent
assertion, i.e., don't discuss the policy and you won't have to lie.

Howard J. Wooldridge

Education specialist

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Washington, D.C.