ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

Drug abuse in our society is a serious issue which seems to be neglected by
most politicians. All one has to do is look at the Clinton administration's
proposed $17.8 billion anti-drug strategy to see my point. The majority of
this money will be spent on more law enforcement instead of treatment
programs for hard-core addicts.

According to the editorial, "Wrong-headed drug policy," (Feb. 23) most
experts believe that treatment programs are the most cost-effective way for
reducing drug use. Statistics show treatment to be seven times more
cost-effective than law enforcement at reducing drug use.

Politicians are more focused on what looks good than on what actually works.

To significantly increase funding for treatment programs is something most
politicians probably feel is not a good career move. For most, getting
additional law enforcement on the street is a priority because it gives the
people who vote them into office a better sense of security. Politics is
all about illusions.

If people feel like more law enforcement will reduce drug use, then to
politicians it is irrelevant if there is any truth to that.

It is important to refocus on prevention and treatment, because as long as
there is a demand for drugs, there will be those who provide them.

We have put a Band-Aid on the wound for too long and it is now time to get
at the root of the problem, the enormous demand for illegal drugs.

Rodney Jones
Fresno