DRUG CHARGES SHOW FAULTY LAWS

Willie Nelson's marijuana charges drive home the point of how
ridiculous the war on drugs has become (Peach Buzz, Living, Sept. 20).

"Zero tolerance," "mandatory minimum" and "the largest prison
population in the history of all civilization" become little more than
political catchphrases when they apply to family. Even hard-core
conservatives such as Rush Limbaugh (opiate abuse), Jeb Bush (daughter
- -- stimulants abuse) and Randy "Duke" Cunningham (son -- marijuana
import) become reasonably soft on crime when their families' values
are audited.

It is high time that we ask ourselves why we build countless prisons
to house zero-threat citizens.

Ted Pettus

Atlanta