'DRUG WAR' HARMS U.S.

While we continue to waste billions of dollars fighting a "war on
drugs," this year about 10,000 people -- mainly lower class black men --
will die needlessly in the streets of America.

Tens of thousands more will die in places such as Mexico and Colombia
while attempting to meet the demand for drugs.

America is the country with the largest percentage of its population
in jail, yet the drugs remain. Even worse, we cannot even keep the
drugs out of the prisons, never mind off the streets.

People tend to blame parents, politicians, police and even teachers
for the violence. Perhaps, the people to be blamed are those who want
to keep drugs illegal.

All the police and courts can do is send people to jail. However, a
drug dealer is a disposable worker. No matter how many are arrested,
the availability and demand for drugs will stay the same.

Death on the corner or jail time are not decreasing the demand for
drugs, and it does not make neighborhoods safer or save tax dollars.
It is a lost cause.

Each new generation sees the hypocrisy when looking back on
Prohibition. It didn't work because it increased violence and did not
stop consumption. The "war on drugs" has not deterred use, and has led
to increases in murder and theft rates.

The sense of community has been lost, also. No one talks to police
because of the risk of retaliatory violence. Prohibition of alcohol
created very similar communities of silence for the same reasons.

History is repeating itself, and we are ignoring it.

Matthew Sweet

North Branford