COLLATERAL DAMAGE

Before I retired as a police officer, I participated in drug raids in
which I momentarily pointed my gun at 9-year-olds as well as dogs.
The death of the Berwyn Heights mayor's dogs [Metro, July 31], the
loss of a missionary shot down over Colombia in 2001, innocent
pedestrians killed when drug dealers open up on each other -- these
tragedies are simply the collateral damage that is necessary for
Maryland to remain drug-free.

As much as Prince George's County Sheriff Michael Jackson should be
embarrassed ["Shoot First, Ask Later," editorial, Aug. 7], so should
The Post, since it supports the current drug control strategy of
prohibition. This strategy caused the death of the two dogs, not
marijuana. And oh, we are drug-free in Maryland, aren't we?

Howard J. Wooldridge 54

Frederick

The writer is an education specialist with Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition, which favors the legalization and regulation of all drugs.