DRUG WAR IS WORSE THAN DRUG ABUSE

Dear Editor: The prosecution of the alleged heroin supplier charged in
connection with the death of a young Madison woman reaffirms an already
bad precedent.

Illegal drug users are reluctant to seek medical attention in the
event of an overdose for fear of being charged with a crime.
Attempting to save the life of a friend could result in a murder
charge. Overzealous drug enforcement results in easily preventable
deaths.

Rehabilitation also is confounded. I think it's safe to say that
turnout at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be rather low if
alcoholism were a crime pursued with zero tolerance zeal.

Eliminating the penalties associated with illicit drug abuse would
encourage the type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate
rehabilitation and save lives. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is
worse.

Robert Sharpe,

Common Sense for Drug Policy,

Washington, D.C.