GANG POWER

ROSELLE -- While I share Bob Greene's horror at the senseless loss of life
caused by gang violence ("Even Capone would be disgusted," Oct. 10), I
think he misunderstands the root of the violence in the 1920s and today.
Although it is true Eliot Ness helped to put Al Capone behind bars, there
were others waiting to take Capone's place and his tactics. The real blow
to gang power came with the repeal of prohibition, when the incredible
economic power of alcohol distribution was taken away from the gangs.

I hope Greene had a chance to read Ethan Nadelmann's excellent commentary
piece that was printed the same day as Greene's column ("New approach to
drugs that's grounded not in ignorance or fear but common sense"). As
Nadelmann points out, there are many reasons to re-evaluate modern
prohibition. Today, the incredible economic power that goes with illegal
drug distribution helps to finance the current crop of gangs. Taking that
power out of gang hands will make membership less lucrative and less
attractive to potential recruits.

Now, as in the 1920s, gang power won't be reduced by tough law enforcement;
it will be reduced by realistic law enforcement.

S. R. Young