LOSING THE DRUG WAR

I'm writing about Jill Watkins' not-so-thoughtful letter defending the
Drug Enforcement Administration ("Drugs, war and the DEA," July 20.

The size and number of drug busts are not a sign of success but rather
of failure. Success would be indicated by smaller and less frequent
drug busts. Such is not the case.

The only way to achieve victory in the so-called drug war is to
re-legalize all of our now illegal drugs so they can be sold in
licensed, regulated and taxed businesses.

Victory is not really the goal of the drug war. Victory in the drug
war would mean that the drug war bureaucracy is out of business.

Victory in the drug war would mean that our robust prison building
industry would come to a screeching halt.

Victory in the drug war would mean that thousands of so-called drug
warriors would be looking for a job or working at quickie marts.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.