DISPATCHES FROM THE WAR ON DRUGS

To the Editor:

Decriminalizing consumption of drugs in small quantities, which Jimmy
Carter suggests, won't reverse the failure of the global war on drugs.
Drug users in any quantity, big or small, are financing terrorist
guerrillas, paramilitaries and criminals in Colombia, Mexico,
Afghanistan and many other developing countries.

Both for consuming and producing nations, partial decriminalization of
the illegal market could actually make the problem worse, as a lesser
risk will encourage consumption. What is needed is a comprehensive
approach by establishing a regulated legal market that would include,
of course, production and consumption, and would eliminate the
enormous profits that are financing violence worldwide.

GONZALO GIRALDO

Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., June 17, 2011