THANKS FOR ALL YOUR CONCERN; GO AWAY

So Redford Givens and Clifford Schaffer are wondering about drug crime and
punishment in SouthCoast, are they? And from way out there in California,
too. What great guys. Thanks for your concern, Cliff and Red.

Clifford doesn't think busting heroin dealers in a city ripped by drug crime
is a fruitful exercise. In his words, "is it just another minor bust of one
more minor character which won't make a nickel's difference in the local
heroin market?"

Small surprise Clifford feels that way. He's the director of DRCNet Online
Library of Drug Policy. Cliff and the gang out there in Canyon City believe
the following, according to their web site:

"The Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet) is a national organization
dedicated to raising public awareness of the consequences of drug
prohibition and working for any positive change in drug policy. We oppose
the prison-building frenzy that sweeps the nation and support rational
policies consistent with the principles of peace, justice, freedom,
compassion and truth. All these have been compromised in the name of the
drug war."

Or to translate. "Drugs should be legal."

Would you be surprised to find that a significant part of DRCNet's work
revolves around the legalization of marijuana? That, and writing
four-sentence missives to far away newspapers about places and people they
know nothing about. The DRCNet site also includes fables about "the myth of
heroin overdose" and some really neat recipes for psychedelic drugs.

Keep DRCNet and its "more than a thousand dues-paying members," to yourself,
Clifford. And if you think it's meaningless to bust a heroin dealer using a
motor scooter -- a preferred way to get around our drug torn inner city and
elude police -- well, it's time to change the bong water out there in Canyon
City.

As for Redford, he's outraged that state and local police pulled up 143 pot
plants in a Westport drug bust recently. According to Red, "It is utterly
absurd to continue marijuana prohibition in light of the fact that every
Reefer Madness claim has been disproved a dozen times. A recent study in
France concluded that marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or
tobacco -- either one. So there's no good reason to carry on the ban."

I don't know what's funnier, a guy from San Francisco cracking wise about
drug policy or a report on intoxication authored by the French. What say we
put Redford and Clifford out on the corner of Ruth and Viall Streets for the
evening where the California boys can expound on their drug philosophies. We
promise the police won't show up 'til morning. And only then to pick up
what's left of 'em.

CHRIS GONSALVES Mattapoisett

Checked-by: Don Beck