SURRENDER AND SIGN HERE

I'm writing about Neal Peirce's thoughtful column: "Failed U.S.
policies on drugs take a toll south of the border" [Opinion, May 22].

Our so-called drug war and our war and occupation of Iraq are very
similar. Both were started with lies and false pretenses.

The war in Iraq is over. We won. What we have now is an occupation of
Iraq. Occupations cannot be won. Who is going to surrender and sign
the peace treaty?

The so-called "war on drugs" cannot be won. Who is going to surrender
and sign the peace treaty?

The war on drugs is an occupation, a career, an industry and huge
bureaucracy. The goal of the drug war is not to win, but rather to
continue and to expand.

The only way to end the drug war is to legalize the products that are
now prohibited and sell them in legal, licensed and regulated business
establishments like we do with the drug alcohol and tobacco products.

Those benefiting from our drug-prohibition policies don't want this to
happen and they will do everything in their power to make sure it
doesn't happen.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.