FAILED DRUG WAR CRIES OUT FOR NEW APPROACH

Re: "A changed mind on drug legalization" (Opinion, Jan. 11):

The article by David Klinger hit me like a breath of fresh air. I came to
the conclusion 40 years ago that legalization of illicit drugs was the only
sensible way to deal with the problem.

It pains me to see our tax dollars being thrown to the wind in a futile
effort to wage a "war" on drugs. All this does is drive the prices up and
make it more profitable for the drug lords. It drains away money needed in
other areas and fills our prisons with victims who need rehabilitation.

We should legalize all substances, and then wage a war on addiction. Take
the profit motive away, and the drug supply will dry up on its own. We
should supply safe drugs to the addicted and, at the same time, offer them
rehabilitative services.

Only a small percentage of the money we're spending on interdiction would
be needed to put this plan into effect.

Richard A. Susskind, Coronado

Klinger's suggestions certainly make sense. Rather than continuing to spend
untold money and time enforcing a system that doesn't work, we could use
those many millions of dollars to set up strong anti-drug education and
treatment programs.

Prevention through education would be more successful in the long run.

Judith Easton, La Jolla