WAVE THE WHITE FLAG

I read your recent editorial [July 19] saying that an open dialogue on
drugs, drug use and drug violence is needed. You are correct in pointing out
that it is a risky move for any politician to advocate changing our nation's
drug laws. It allows their opponents to call them "soft on crime" and say
they are "sending the wrong message" to children. It also would be strongly
opposed by groups who have an interest in maintaining and even expanding
this destructive war.

But if a politician can take an honest look at what the war on drugs has
done to our society--the erosion of basic constitutional guarantees, greatly
expanded police powers and consequent abuses, levels of violence not seen
since alcohol Prohibition and the strengthening of organized crime both in
this country and in others--then it should be obvious that this war is not
working. The war on drugs has become a war on Americans by their own
government. Thousands of people who have not harmed any other individual or
his property are in jail because they chose to ingest marijuana instead of
alcohol, or cocaine instead of caffeine.

People who have a drug problem need treatment instead of years in a jail
cell. For too long, the "cure" of the drug warriors has been much worse than
the disease of personal drug use. Ending this war would both allow users to
seek treatment if they need it, and allow tens of billions of taxpayer
dollars to be put to more productive uses.

Jay Stermer, Indianapolis