Japan, Too, Struggles With Methamphetamine

To the Editor:

The Brooklyn drug dealer you quoted on the relative disadvantages of
selling methamphetamine as compared with crack cocaine (news article, July
8) could take some pointers from his Japanese counterparts.

Although crack users may "come back every two hours," sales to a
methamphetamine user offer a greater profit margin, attract a broader
customer base and tend to be a lower priority for law enforcement officials.

Japan's 50year drug war against methamphetamine reveals the intractability
of the trade. Even when Japanese authorities successfully curtailed
domestic production during the 1950's, organized crime groups turned to
suppliers in Korea and Taiwan, and, by the 1990's, China.

H. RICHARD FRIMAN Milwaukee, July 11, 1997

The writer is an associate professor of political science at Marquette
University.

To the Editor:

Four key words in your article "Mexico and Drugs: Was U.S. Napping?" (front
page, July 11) indicate why no drug interdiction effort is likely to
succeed: "the thriving American market." That, unfortunately, is one
instance where our market economy works all too well to our social detriment.

JOE LESLY HastingsonHudson, N.Y. July 11, 1997

Copyright 1997 The New York Times Company