DRUG 'WAR' IS LOST; TREAT ADDICTION LIKE THE MEDICAL PROBLEM IT IS

Re: Rhonda Swan's April 3 column "Surrender would be a win," we
should treat drugs as a medical problem. The result of our expensive
and failed "war" on drugs is that now drugs are coming into our
country by the ton.

We intimidate other countries to cease growing drugs while wealthy
people in the United States snort it up their noses. The poor buy
crack and end up in jail. Would it not make more sense to "repeal"
this "war," and spend on education and rehabilitation centers? We had
enough sense to repeal the banning of alcohol. Why not drugs?

Many years ago, I had a client who wanted to get into a rehab center
and was put on a waiting list of six months. In the meantime, he
committed crimes to support his addiction. At least in jail he was
rehabilitated. It cost New York state much more than a rehab center.
Let's start using our brains instead of propaganda and treat drugs as
a medical problem.

Lorna Rissier Bernard

Lantana