END DRUG PROHIBITION

My sincere condolences to the Lauver family. I know and understand a
family's loss.

But I must comment on the Mirror's article and how it deals with the
subject of illicit drugs.

A few primary questions were not asked.

* In a nonprohibition atmosphere would there even be fentanyl-laced
heroin?

* If an addict had a legitimate source to turn to when his cravings
hit, would that heroin be laced with fentanyl and of unknown strength
and purity?

* If we did not criminalize human behavior but dealt with addiction
problems through our doctors, counselors and family, would addicts
have to buy on the street?

There are far too many deaths in this drug war. This Prohibition II.
Whether our police officers, our addicts or our children are
inadvertently in harm's way from a gang's drive-by bullets, there have
been far too many deaths.

Prohibition is a failure in fact, practice and principle -- a failure
for the people and families investing the lives of those they love.
End Prohibition now. Again.

Allan Erickson,

Eugene, Ore.