MIXED MESSAGES

Re: "Cops behaving badly" (Editorial, March 11):

Ultimately, the problem is that police officers receive contradictory
messages regarding enforcing laws against illegal drugs.

At their station houses, they're told to arrest the sellers. But in
field, it's obvious that a significant number of people - the buyers
- - don't want those laws enforced. A small number of officers will try
to cash in on this contradiction. A larger - though still small -
number of them will become cynical and trample on people's rights.

If we want to support our police and also have them behave
responsibly, we should convey consistent messages. Because demand
creates supply, the only consistent message about illegal drugs that
actually will work long term is legalization, regulation, taxation
and education.

David Ferris, San Francisco