DRUG REGULATION

I did not read Steve Chapman's war on drug editorial, "Reality
intrudes on the drug war," (Editorial, Feb.15) but I did read Thomas
Sullivan and Ted Manuel letters agreeing with Chapman's column. I have
to disagree with their conclusions. I am proof of the winning of
battles in the war on drugs. I was a teenager in the 70's and smoked
pot daily. I dealt some to support my habit and moved up to cocaine in
the college years. It was a couple of close calls that scared me out
of the lifestyle, and in looking back, it was no life at all.

It would be a serious mistake to take any regulation off these life
ruining substances and further add to the decay of our nation. The
logic of equating drugs to the alcohol Prohibition years is flawed, in
that alcohol was legal before Prohibition. The problem came from
trying to stuff the cat back into the bag.

John Hayward

Joliet, Ill.