LETTERS MISS POINT; LEGALIZE ALL DRUG USE

The letters between Larry Bumgardner and W. Sewell are interesting,
but they don't address the larger issue: Why is recreational drug use
illegal in the first place?

Conservatives and liberals (and everyone in between) should be in
favor of legalizing all drug use. Notice that I am not encouraging
anyone to actually use drugs. There is nearly a century of evidence to
show that it is the "drug war" that is the problem, not drugs
themselves. Legalize drugs, have them regulated and maybe even sold by
the government (like we do with liquor in North Carolina). Then tax
them like we do cigarettes. Use those taxes to treat people who become
addicts (instead of incarcerating them) and those that have mental and
physical health problems due to misuse of recreational drugs.

Spend more on anti-drug campaigns and treatment programs. This
approach will empty our prisons, reduce non-drug use taxes and reduce
crime. It won't be an easy transition, but it's the right thing to
do.

STEVEN MATHERLY