POLICE AND DRUGS

With the addition of a third officer to the LAPD drug-corruption scandal
(Dec. 2) and the discovery of a possible mass grave in Juarez, Mexico, one
thing has become clear to me: Drug prohibition has returned us to the days
of Al Capone and alcohol prohibition. This noble experiment has failed to
prevent drug use, just as outlawing alcohol failed to stop people from
drinking. Instead, a vast river of unregulated drug profits rolls through
our city streets, empowering organized crime and turning our cops into thugs.

Without prohibition, these profits would not even exist for police to steal
or criminals to spend. Meanwhile, an unknown number of innocent people
suffer. In my eyes, two things must happen. First, a list of every case
tainted by these officers should be made available to the public, so that
people who may be affected by their corruption can receive fair treatment.
Second, as a community, we must focus on a solution that gets both cops and
gangs out of the drug supply business.

Paul M. Lewin, Palm Springs