IT'S TIME TO REPEAL PROHIBITION ON DRUGS

(Regarding "Cocaine threat growing; Heroin also major problem here,
authorities say," The Tribune-Democrat, Dec. 21:)

During my 18 years of police service, I learned that the use of
alcohol was the No. 1 cause of police calls. With all due respect to
my colleague, (Somerset County Drug Task Force coordinator) Detective
Jason Hunter, the use of heroin never generated a police call for
service. He was probably referring to the need for heroin addicts to
steal, because instead of paying a dollar per day for heroin, addicts
need a hundred times that.

Ditto cocaine.

Will we ever be as wise as our grandparents and repeal our
prohibition? It would certainly eliminate the crime and violence
associated with the black market. You have a drug problem? See a
doctor or die.

Howard J. Wooldridge

Frederick, Md.

Editor's note: The writer is an education specialist in Washington,
D.C., for Medford, Mass.-based Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
(www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com).