DO WE CARE ABOUT THE WAR ON DRUGS?

I am disgusted to read that La Crosse County Assistant District
Attorney Brian Barton is not commenting on the Nov. 20 case involving
the discovery of a half-ton of marijuana in a semi-trailer. Is it
because it is highly unlikely that anyone will ever be convicted at
either the local, state or federal level for this serious crime? It
sounds like a good idea for a video game. See how many tons of
marijuana you can haul across the country without being busted.

Barton should be commended for not wasting taxpayer money on a losing
trial. However, as a public servant, he owes the public a full
explanation as to what steps are being taken at the state or federal
level to further investigate the case. Does he even care? What
message does this send to our young people?

I am an educator of young adults and am married to an employer of
young adults. Marijuana has substantially reduced the economic
potential of so many promising people. Yes, there are far worse drugs
out there. However, marijuana is very easy to obtain and in totality
is a much bigger problem than harder drugs. If we crack down on
drugs, we won't have to spend so much on welfare.

As Americans, we are blessed with low unemployment. Almost all of us
are capable of climbing out of a financial hole if we set our mind to
it. Mind-altering drugs hamper this.

STEVEN VERRALL / La Crosse