U.S. POLICY IN COLOMBIA WON'T STOP DRUGS

I am outraged that President Clinton has committed U.S. tax dollars and
military forces to the futile effort of abolishing the cocaine trade in
Colombia. When has force ever hurt the illegal drug trade?

Has it ever occurred to U.S. leaders that the $1.3 billion aid package
being used to support Plan Columbia could be used to support services that
are desperately needed in our own country?

The huge U.S. aid package is a grave mistake that only will escalate
violence in and around Colombia. How much death and destruction have to
occur before the American people stand up against this debacle and say,
"Enough is enough"?

Ellen Herndon Atkins Mineral