SENSIBLE THOUGHTS

Kudos for publishing John Wagers' sensible and intelligent op-ed,
"Time for new tactics in the War on Drugs."

I have a quibble, however, that his representation that we spend $18
billion annually grossly understates the direct expense of the War and
Drugs.

To that, I add that the monies spent have developed powerful interests
which are loath to keep the purse strings loose.(*) Also, it is in the
interests of the drug lords and their minions that we keep the War on
Drugs in place.

Finally, Wagers calls for an end of the War on Drugs -- not, as your
headline writer put it, "new tactics."

Gerald M. Sutliff
Emeryville, California

[*Whoops, I misspoke myself. GMS]