CLINTON'S MESSAGE

Re "Clinton: U.S. shares blame for Mexico ills," March 26

Hillary Clinton says it is "our insatiable demand for illegal drugs"
that fuels the drug trade and violence. In reality, it is not
marijuana and the millions of Americans who use it that cause the
violence -- it is drug prohibition that makes the plant more valuable
than gold and creates a profit motive that people are willing to kill
for.

It would be more honest and accurate to blame U.S. drug-war policies
pushed by her colleagues in Washington.

Although there may be compelling reasons why some drugs should remain
illegal, we should at least begin an honest discussion about the root
causes of the violence and the options in dealing with the harms of
drug use and drug prohibition. It is clear that the strategy of the
last 40 years is not working.

Tony Newman

New York

The writer is director of media relations for the Drug Policy Alliance