DRUG DEBATE

Anthony Lewis had the courage to write, and you had the courage to print,
an excellent and provocative essay ("Drug Debate - This is one area where
we ignore practicality," Viewpoints, Jan. 20) on America's drug policy. How
to deal with our growing drug use and the inevitable misery and violence
that it spawns is the greatest challenge facing America. This public policy
should be debated in Washington and in Austin rather than on the editorial
page of a newspaper. It won't, however, because it is too controversial for
career politicians, and we all know that maintaining re-electability is far
more important than sound public policy.

Thank you for your modest effort to open our eyes.

JOE B. HARRISON, Dallas