Let me join an increasing number of public officials and concerned
citizens in applauding the recent comments of Judge John Kane Jr.
regarding our nation's disastrous war on drugs.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that what should have been
approached as a public-health problem has eventuated into a tragic
loss of life, liberty and justice.

Look what it has done to our country. The world's greatest experiment
in freedom and liberty has become the prison capital of the world.

While it is easy for those of us making the laws to beat our chests
and pass legislation that is "tough on crime," it is then left to
those like Kane to enforce the legislature's utopian
social-engineering schemes. If only we lawmakers had to seriously face
the entanglements we have wrought with years of ill-advised
legislation.

Prohibition-like lawmaking has always been a tragic failure. It not
only fails to achieve its purpose, it leaves a thriving black market
and crumbing civil liberties in its wake. It forces government to
wage war on its own people rather than the substances it purports to
destroy.

I applaud Kane for his insight and courage and urge others to follow
his lead.

Ross Diercks Wyoming House of Representatives Cheyenne