ADDICTION RESEARCH

Re "Booze, Drugs and Prisons," editorial, Jan. 18:

In 1936 the American Medical Assn. declared addiction to be a disease.
Since then we have defeated infantile paralysis, created the Atomic Age,
walked on the moon and now imprison a number of people larger than the
population of 15 states.

The enzyme that causes addiction was identified in 1975. Since then we have
created the Internet, cloned the perfect lamb chop and transformed an
affliction into our penitentiary-industrial complex.

In-custody treatment? Good idea. A better idea would be to harness the
horse before it leaves the barn. Whether it shall be realized
intentionally or by accident, recent science makes a cure imminent. Sadly,
our hysterical preoccupation with prohibition places such a cure beyond our
intentional grasp.

Why not beat drug-war swords into the peaceful plowshares of addiction
research that will ultimately defeat all addictions?

CHRIS CAUHAPE
Indio