DEMAND SUPPLIED; DRUG LORDS WINNING

Regarding Jim Kennedy's April 6 letter, "War on drugs showing no
progress," there is an obvious demand for drugs.

The black market will sell as much as possible for the highest price
possible. This has created an endless international stream that has
captured most of the attention and resources of our law enforcement,
judicial system, and penal institutions. Investigating, arresting,
prosecuting, and incarcerating people for drug offenses that don't
involve victims is a waste of time and taxpayer money. Mere possession
or use of a drug should not be a criminal offense.

Actually, incarcerating young people with long sentences can be more
damaging than the use of the drug. Outlawing of drugs has not made
them magically go away, yet more than a half-million Americans are
incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses. The "war on drugs" has
waged for more than 40 years with no success. All we have managed to
do is make drug lords richer, ourselves poorer, and our prisons fuller.

Sandra Gadsberry

Vancouver