WAR ON DRUGS IS ANOTHER VIETNAM

Letter to the editor

Years ago a friend who was a world traveler suggested that we in the United
States were handling the matter of drugs in a way that was a sure loser.

A few years later, during a college internship at a hospital, I learned
that he who wants to use, will. I also saw people who had a choice, jail or
rehab. What would you choose? A nice sunny room, good food and play the
therapy game, or incarceration? Dah!

The sad thing was that I assumed that most people in that hospital had no
real idea of quitting their habit. Sadder still was that they bore the
label "criminal" in the eyes of society.

Prohibition did not work. It made the underworld rich, people died from
poor-quality bathtub gin, the jails filled to capacity (like today) and
good people were arrested because they may have been in the wrong place at
the wrong time and consumed an alcoholic drink.

I am not condoning drug use. I only wonder where the wisdom lies in
fighting an unwinnable war? It's like Vietnam all over again. The
politicians are running the show, and at a great loss. The billions of
dollars being spent could readily be used by this country in ways too
numerous to mention.

Empty the jails of people who are there on minor drug charges (and who are
probably learning some less than a great curriculum from the pros who are
there for good reason). Legalize drugs. Control them. Tax them. Use the
money for users who really want to kick their habit.

Morals cannot be legislated. The instilling of morals, consequences to
actions and self-control is the job of parents, not the task of schools,
the local judiciary or the federal government.

PATRICIA BROWNING-BONENFANT

Epsom