MEXICO'S MASS GRAVES REVEAL COSTS OF THE 'WAR ON DRUGS'

The mass graves exhumed near Juarez, Mexico, demonstrate the colossal
costs of drug prohibition ("U.S., Mexican authorities search for mass
graves," Dec. 1). Hardened criminals lie beside those who
unfortunately saw too much. Compared with this mass slaughter, the
alcohol-prohibition era St. Valentine's Day massacre is small change.

The more governments have expended on drug prohibition, the more
profiteers have expended to counter it.

Our government spends billions annually on the drug war. Yet the
street price of cocaine and heroin is lower than it was before
President Richard Nixon introduced the "war on drugs" in the early
1970s. At the same time, yearly drug-related deaths have
skyrocketed.

And if the drug war has damaged the United States, it has hurt our
neighbors much more, with corruption reaching the highest levels of
their governments. The drug war has been counterproductive. Our drug
policy must be replaced with one that emphasizes public health.

Kevin Fansler
Havre de Grace