Our Newshawk writes: "Here's an LTE printed last Saturday in response to
Linda Bayer's damage-control commentary against Molly Ivins' recent article."

FAILED DRUG POLICY

I couldn't help but gasp at the unmitigated gall of Linda Bayer, "senior
writer and psychologist at the White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy" who, some 17 years after the Reagan administration declared the
"war on drugs," chastises those who point out its abysmal failure and
declares that it is not really a war after all (Counterpoint, Dec. 5). I
suggest an alternative to the "sound long-range plan" she insists the
government has. It's called honesty.

The questions that would have to be answered in an unbiased fashion would
be: (1) Which drugs, legal or illegal, have what short- and long-term
effects on which human organs and vital functions? (2) What percentage of
users become physically or psychologically addicted to each drug? (3) Who
is making money off of the sale and promotion of each drug and how much?
(4) Which drugs result in the most human misery and why? (5) What are some
alternatives to the use of substances to alter consciousness?

Let's face it, Linda: You and your colleagues have failed. We need to try
something else.

Fredric J. Anderson, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski