TAX FUNDS TO FIGHT DRUG WAR

Re "More Drugs Flow Into U.S. than Estimated," Nov. 14: What would you do
with $1.5 billion? I knew exactly what the purppose of this press release
by our "government authorities" (always anonymous) meant. They want more,
more of our hard-earned tax dollars to expand their drug war. They are
currently wasting almost $18 billion a year on their war.

They are admitting that they have failed in their 70-year war on drugs and
that the hundreds of billions of dollars of our tax money have not been
enough. They want more money to continue a failed program!

I was reminded of that joke: "If you want to make sure crime doesn't pay,
make it a government program." But using public money for ineffective
programs is not funny.

They say they need only about $1.5. billion more of our money to give to
the Colombian government next year. This is an outrageous waste and
another insult to the intelligence of the American people. We so
desperately need funds for the education of our children, medical care for
our elderly and lots of dollars to improve our fire and police departments.

I say no more dollars for a futile drug war.

Jean Fleming, Studio City

Prohibition accomplished nothing except the creation of a black market, the
rise of a powerful criminal class (the Mafia) and a spike in the crime
rate. It had little, if any, impact on the consumption of alcohol in America.

Aside from the substance banned, can someone please explain to me the
difference between Prohibition and the war on drugs?

Barbara Beckley, Los Angeles