JUST A SLIVER

It is too bad the writer of the recent letter, "Police are doing a
good job going after drugs," doesn't realize that the amount of drugs
that the police confiscate has very little impact into the overall
illegal drug market. The 8,320 pounds of illegal drugs that were
confiscated on I-55 last year are just a sliver of the entire illegal
drug market in Illinois. History reveals that prohibition did not
work with alcohol and the war on drugs is simply another prohibition.

By regulating dangerous substances, the purity levels and
distribution systems all are monitored by the government, whereas an
illegal market leaves purity and distribution to criminals. Plus,
alcohol and cigarette vendors require age verification. I doubt any
drug dealer does.

I support the police are simply doing their job, but drug laws
prevent police from catching real criminals. End the war on drugs and
police will have more time to go after violent and dangerous
criminals instead of nonviolent drug consumers.

Dan Linn

Sycamore