CLEAR-HEADED THINKING ON 'WAR ON DRUGS'

Re: Legalizing and regulating drug use, Opinion June 3

When will the powers-that-be realize the "war on drugs" is a total
failure and a complete rethinking of drugs in society is required? It
is time to legalize, educate and control, remove the criminality and
therefore stop the wars, not only on our streets, but in countries
like Mexico.

If the distribution was controlled by government, like alcohol,
enforcement costs would decrease, addicts wouldn't have to resort to
crime to get a fix and the billions of dollars made by the cartels
would no longer exist. The tax money and revenue from the sale of
drugs could be used for treatment and education.

This may sound simplistic, but if the current attitudes and laws
prevail, things will only get worse. Since 1972, the U.S. has spent
$500 million on its War on Drugs. Yet drugs are more prevalent and
varied than they were when the war was declared. It's time for a change.

John Hawes,
Brampton