TO STOP DRUG VIOLENCE

The problem in Mexico is not drug use, the problem is prohibition;
(editorial Sunday, Feb. 22).

One example of its failure is Colombia. After wasting $4 billion of
taxpayer money, the U.S. government pulled out. There is absolutely
nothing to prove the $4 billion did any good to stop cocaine. We are
to believe this is the answer to Mexico.

If any of our politicians were serious about ending the 60-year-old
drug war, they would bring legalization to the debate.

A regulated, taxed product (like alcohol) would eliminate the profits
for the cartels. With New York's present economic problem, this could
be a big help to the taxpayers.

When alcohol was moved from the black market to a regulated, taxed
market, where it could be controlled, there were those who said the
sky would fall. Instead it soon created millions in taxes and a boost
to employment. New warehouses, drivers and a special line of delivery
trucks were needed.

There are alcohol problems, but with alcohol we deal with abusers when
we have to, not because they have a beer on them.

Decriminalization would be a cost savings as well as a revenue
generator.

Larry Seguin

Lisbon