TREAT DRUG ABUSE AS HEALTH ISSUE, NOT A CRIME

Your editorial on marijuana legalization was pathetic. Children and
the nation are more harmed by the erosion of civil liberties and the
fact that we have the highest per capita incarceration rate in the
civilized world. In 2007, there were more than 800,000 marijuana
arrests. Combine this with the profit-driven drug violence in Mexico
and our own cities, which is driven by "prohibition," and USA TODAY's
case is rendered meaningless.

Portugal is the case to consider. Its officials have said the
legalization process led to lower drug use. We should be ashamed of
our incarceration rates and end this ridiculous war against "reefer
madness."

Chip Wilkins

Nashville