THERE'S NO WAY TO WIN WAR ON DRUGS

I'm writing about Noreen Ordronneau's thoughtful letter: "U. S.
efforts have failed in Columbia" (Oct. 12).

I'd like to add that if Plan Colombia had exceeded all expectations
and all of the cocaine in Colombia had been eliminated, it would not
affect the supply of cocaine or any other drugs reaching Americans.
As long as people want recreational drugs and they are willing to pay
a substantial price for the drugs, somebody will produce the drugs
and somebody else will get the drugs to the willing buyers.

This is guaranteed.

We cannot keep illegal drugs out of our highest security jails and
prisons, so how can we reasonably expect to be able to keep illegal
drugs out of our country with thousands of miles of coastline and
thousands of miles of international borders?

The obvious answer is that we cannot.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.