I am glad to see that Congressman Tom Campbell has taken a position on
our failed drug war (``Campbell backs measure for treatment in drug
cases,'' Page 1B, June 3).

I realize that the country's drug problem is a emotional issue, right
up there with abortion and gun rights. However we are not winning the
``war on drugs'' -- in fact, we are losing ground. Drugs are entering
the country via eighteen wheel trucks, in spite of General McCaffrey.

While Campbell doesn't offer a solution to the problem, he
acknowledges that we are not winning and proposes to deal with the
side effects. At this point in time, that is all we can hope for.

Keith De Filippis,
San Jose