DRUG WAR IN U.S. WAGED WITH FANFARE, BUT NO VICTORY IN SIGHT

For some four decades or more the federal government has been waging a
"war" on narcotic drugs. Presidents have come and gone, all swearing
to control the use of such drugs and appoint drug czars with great
fanfare to wage this "war," only to have such czars fade away into
oblivion without victory in sight. During this time our prisons have
become filled to overflowing with minor drug dealers and users; entire
nations have become narco-states in order to supply the world's demand
for these drugs; and we are spending $40 billion annually on trying to
control this supply (The Economist, March 7). All with what result?

Today, our neighbor to the south, Mexico, is becoming a narco-state,
with the drug cartels controlling much of the law enforcement,
judicial and the political bodies of the state; the tentacles of these
cartels are now reaching into the United States where they control the
drug traffic and are certainly suborning many of our law enforcement
officials; drugs may be purchased at many street corners throughout
our nation; the Taliban in Afghanistan is financed by the opium trade
in their war against us; and we continue to spend millions of dollars
without any hope of overcoming this problem. The solution?

Legalize these controlled substances and establish government operated
stores to dispense retail amounts of these drugs at prices that would
damp down their use while discouraging a black market. Such a move
would not only put the drug lords out of business but also transform
drugs from a law and order problem into a public health problem.
Proceeds from the sale of these drugs would be used to educate the
public.

Walter Hoffman

Polk City