A LOSING BATTLE

Despite pointing out numerous reasons why drug
prohibition does more harm than good, George Will (Opinion, June 16)
appears to support continuation of the war on drugs.

One argument for prohibition given by Will is that marijuana use
usually starts in the teen years.

The fact is it's easier for teens to get marijuana and other illegal
substances than it is for them to get alcohol and cigarettes, because
drug dealers target kids while tobacco and liquor merchants check for
identification to avoid selling to minors.

Will also claims alcohol prohibition did some good by reducing
consumption well into the 1960s. Per capita, alcohol consumption
actually increased during Prohibition; furthermore, alcohol users
opted for more potent wines and spirits rather than drinking beverages
with lower alcohol content, such as beer. The evidence suggests that
attempting to use the law to prohibit intoxicating substances actually
increases usage.

Will should join George Shultz, Milton Friedman, Walter Cronkite,
William F. Buckley and millions of other Americans and call for an
immediate end to the futile and immoral war on drugs.

Chris Powell

Bethany