DRUG WAR HAS NO EASY ANSWER

Regarding your editorial on June 9, prosecuting accidental drug
overdoses as felony murders reaffirms an already bad precedent.
Illegal drug users are reluctant to seek medical attention in the
event of an overdose for fear of being charged with a crime.
Attempting to save the life of a friend could result in a murder
charge. Overzealous drug enforcement results in easily preventable
deaths.

Rehabilitation also is confounded. I think it's safe to say that
turnout at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be rather low if
alcoholism were a crime pursued with zero tolerance zeal. Eliminating
the penalties associated with illicit drug abuse would encourage the
type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate rehabilitation and
save lives. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

ROBERT SHARPE

Policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy