IT'S A CRIME

Some time ago my co-worker left an article on my desk that he printed off
the Web and told me to read it. To be honest, I put it in my to-do pile and
passed it off for a while.

It was the March 14 column by Dimitri Vassilaros about the "War on Drugs
taking people to new lows.'' I just wanted to let you know that I totally
agree with most (if not all) of his statements. My associates and I have
had many conversations about why we have a war on drugs and not on crime.
Why is it that people are getting arrested for overdue library books and
overdue tickets, and yet they still can't figure out who killed the little
Ramsey girl? And how about those people who stole our car last year and
then returned it to the Days Inn as a wreck, or the guy who robbed my
friend's house?

Nothing, and I mean nothing, happened to them. But they send the SWAT team
into a high school after some kids for some bags of marijuana (they are
just kids). They need to learn from their mistakes like everybody else, not
be treated like murderers on the loose. Come on!

I still believe adult consent is adult consent, as long as it doesn't hurt
or violate somebody else's rights. How did it ever start that we need laws
against adults making decisions for themselves?

Anyway, I appreciate that people in the media are finally saying stuff
against this issue and not for it. Maybe it will finally get some honest
attention and things might change, but doubt it.

Genevieve Murphy Tampa, Fla.