PEACEFUL PROTEST CRITICIZES DRUG WAR

U.S. Policies Fuel Profits For Dealers, Says Group Outside DEA's Office

As protests go, it was more jovial than most.

Seven members of a group that opposes drug laws "celebrated" the 25th
anniversary of the Drug Enforcement Administration on Wednesday by
declaring war against the war on drugs.

Members of the Drug Policy Forum of Texas arrived shortly after 8 a.m. and
set up on the median in front of the DEA's Dallas field division on Regal
Row between Stemmons Freeway and Harry Hines.

Armed with placards -- including "Stop the Drug War" and "War is Bad
Domestic Policy" -- the small band of protesters spent 90 minutes catching
the eye of motorists, a few of whom honked in support and most of whom
slowed in confusion.

"We're trying to generate awareness that what we're doing with drugs is not
working," said Bob Ramsey of Irving, an executive board member of the
Houston-based Drug Policy Forum. "We're just trying to open the debate."

Forum members say state and federal governments are wasting their time
trying to stop the flow of drugs. They see the DEA -- created by executive
order July 1, 1973 -- as the embodiment of all that is wrong about the war
on drugs.

"In the early '70s, we had a lot less drug use," said Rolf Ernst of Frisco,
another Forum member. "Criminalization creates a profit motive for criminals."

The protestors mocked drug policies by serving Coke -- as in cola -- and
poppy-seed cake at the "party". As Dallas police cars cruised by and a DEA
security guard tugged on a cigar and kept a watchful eye, the protest
remained peaceful, with only a handful of people stopping to see what the
signs were about.

The cake was barely touched.

Despite what anyone may think, Drup Policy Forum members say their stand
should not be confused with condoning drug use.

"We discourage the use of drugs by controlling the supply," said Robert F.
"Colonel" Mason, a Lewisville writer. "We have to make drugs legal to do
that."

About 9:30 a.m., the group strolled past the security guard to present the
card and cake. For the occasion, Mr. Mason penned a poem, which concludes:
"They'll toast 25 years with booze, cigs and mirth, while the rest of us
mourn at the DEA's birth."

DEA officials courteously accepted the gifts, and the protesters left
quietly. As soon as they were out of earshot, DEA employees erupted in
laughter.

"What are you going to do? You can't get excited over this," said Hulio
Machado, special agent in charge of the Dallas office. "They're good people
. . . What you had is people voicing their opinions."

Checked-by: Richard Lake