APPLY FUNDING WHERE IT CAN DO THE MOST GOOD

Regarding Marcela Sanchez's Nov. 10 column, U.S. aid to Colombia
could very well spread both coca production and civil war throughout
South America. Communist guerrilla movements do not originate in a
vacuum. U.S. tax dollars would be better spent addressing the
socioeconomic causes of civil strife in Colombia rather than applying
overwhelming military force to attack the symptoms.

We're not doing the Colombian people any favors by funding civil war.
Nor are Americans being protected from drugs.

Destroy the Colombian coca crop and production will boom in Peru,
Bolivia and Ecuador.

Destroy every last plant in South America and domestic
methamphetamine production will increase to meet the demand for
cocaine-like drugs.

The self-professed champions of the free market in Congress are
seemingly incapable of applying basic economic principles to drug
policy. Instead of waging a futile supply-side drug war abroad, we
should be funding cost-effective drug treatment here at home.

Robert Sharpe, Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Arlington, Virg.