CASUALTIES OF THE DRUG WAR

No doubt G. Alan Robison's recent assessment, quoted in the Chronicle
Metropolitan Nov. 21 article, "Professor leads the charge in battle against
drug war," that the real cost of the drug war is more like $100 billion
than $18 billion, is not far from the mark.

But wars usually do have casualties. And this one has plenty.

From the victims of real crimes who don't get help because of
drug-war-allocated resources, to the inhabitants of inner-city areas where
the war involves turf control, gang income and daily gunfire -- all are
victims.

But what if they had a war and nobody came? Legalization (not like milk or
coffee), but more like morphine, alcohol and tobacco, would stop the war
dead in its tracks.

Ron Foster
Houston