DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES IN DRUG WAR

LETTER #1

Editor -- Kudos to Thomas O'Connell for his excellent letter in the
July 9 Chronicle attacking the ``War on Drugs.'' Is there any other
more pressing political issue in this country? Why is this subject so
conspicuously absent from media scrutiny? While we get so caught up in
relatively trivial sex scandals, this ``war'' is continuing unabated
with disastrous consequences all around.

Most drug arrests are of nonviolent users who are too often given
stiff prison sentences. This corrupting process keeps the police from
fighting real crime, the courts from trying dangerous criminals and
the jails from keeping the real thugs off our streets. And it doesn't
deter illegal drug use anyway!

When will we come to our senses? Even the medical use of marijuana,
overwhelmingly approved by California voters, is still illegal. Why?
I'm afraid that our only recourse is a risky one: to elect to public
office only those with enough courage and principle to do the right
thing. Who? A good man like Dennis Peron, ignored when not ridiculed
by the media, lost big in the Republican primary for governor. Thanks
for trying, Dennis.

STANLEY F. KERN

Daly City

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------
LETTER #2

ZERO-TOLERANCE

Editor -- No to litter, no to trash.

No to women getting any cash.

No to smoking, no to toking.

No money to mothers who are coking.

No to snooze in the dugout or on the diamond?

How big the noose, how much bigger the hoosegows?

How long before no to chewing gum on the streets?

How long will the law's arm reach?

An expensive way to preach.

Isn't it better to simply teach?

MARGO St. JAMES San Francisco
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----
1998 San Francisco Chronicle Page A22


Checked-by: "Rich O'Grady"