LEGALIZE IT

Thank you for printing that story ("Just Say 'Yes,'" Sept. 21) about
Peter Christ and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). I am so
glad to read that someone has some sense about this whole "war on
drugs," and they're law enforcement officials! I have contended for a
long time that the war on drugs is a waste of time and energy. Didn't
we learn anything from Prohibition in the '20s? That's how Al Capone
got his start.

Our society could benefit from the tax revenue if the government
regulated and taxed the drugs that are now sold on the black market.
Instead of all that money ending up in the hands of organized
criminals, it could be used to address the reasons people use drugs in
the first place, or to treat drug use. And I'm sure there would be
plenty left over given the amount that is spent on drugs in this society.

It would also take away much of the power of organized crime if their
contraband were legalized. We would also reduce the cost to our
society of incarcerating all those young people convicted on drug
charges if drugs were legalized.

For those who think it would be immoral to legalize drugs or that they
are illegal because they are harmful, I say what about tobacco and
alcohol? How many people die each year due to tobacco and alcohol
related illness and accidents? And there is no way either of those are
going to be criminalized any time soon. I say we stop being hypocrites
and legalize drugs.

BARB NANGLE

North Haven