Wrong answer

The letter to the editor titled "Reefer Madness: and Newt Gingrich's
commentary about the war on drugs in the May 4-10 edition both seem to
imply that conservatives favor the current U.S. policy on drug control, but
there is more than one side to the story. William F. Buckley, Milton
Friedman and many other noted conservatives have expressed strong
opposition to the war on drugs.

Drug abuse is a medical problem and attempts to eliminate it using law
enforcement methods are a terrible mistake. Filling prisons with
non-violent ofenders is a waste of public funds. Many studies have shown
that per dollar spent, treatment is a much more effective means of reducing
drug abuse. Newt Gingrich himself has tried marijuana in the past. Does he
think that a conviction and prison sentence would make him a more effective
citizen and public servant?

Greg Goldmakher Dallas, Texas

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski