VIOLENCE AGGRAVATED BY DRUG PROHIBITION

In response to "A tale of drugs' toll on family, two nations"
(Editorial, July 17), drugs weren't the cause of Mexico's organized
crime networks. Just like how Prohibition in the U.S. in the 1920s
gave rise to Al Capone, recent drug prohibition has created the
violent drug trafficking organizations behind all the killings in
Mexico. With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers aren't
as violent. Mexico's upsurge in violence only began after a crackdown
on drugs created a power vacuum among competing cartels.

The drug war is perpetuated by the mainstream media's refusal to put
so-called drug-related crime in context. Drug prohibition funds
organized crime at home and terrorism abroad, which is then used by
shameless politicians to justify increased drug-war spending. It's
time to end this madness. Whether we like it or not, drugs are here to
stay.

Changing human nature is not an option. Reforming harmful drug laws is
an option that Congress should pursue.

Robert Sharpe

Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Arlington, Va.