A FAILED WAR ON DRUGS

Give me a break, Gen. McCaffrey! Saying that we would send the wrong message
to the children if the federal government funded needle exchange programs
has got to be one of the most absurd bits of reasoning I have ever heard.
For the reader who has not kept up on this subject, I am referring to the
May 18 news story "Drug Policy Chief Is Facing Some New Foes."

Ask any child about getting a shot, and you will quickly see the defect in
this latest defense of the war on drugs. Oh, excuse me, it is a cancer now.
The war on drugs is a complete and utter failure, so now we should call it a
cancer. It does not take much time or thought to break down that metaphor
either.

Face reality. It is time to stop this self-destructive war on our own
people, starting with the repeal of marijuana prohibition. People have to be
responsible for their actions and the consequences of their actions. We need
to start an open dialogue on how to best implement drug-law reform.

Finally no one condones or supports drug abuse, but what we are doing today
is counterproductive.

ROBERT R. RYAN Salisbury, Md.

Why do we have a military general to wage a war on drugs? He is waging a war
on American citizens. Put this issue back to the surgeon general's office
where it belongs as a health issue. No more drug war! Give peace a chance.

BILL HARPER Lexington, Ky.

Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett