CHANGE IN DRUG LAWS

Your editorial of September 15 was right on target. The
tough-on-drugs approach is part of the problem. Illegal drug users
are reluctant to seek medical attention in the event of an overdose
for fear of being charged with a crime. Attempting to save the life
of a friend could result in a murder charge. Overzealous drug
enforcement results in easily preventable deaths.

Rehabilitation also is confounded. I think it's safe to say that
turnout at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be rather low if
alcoholism were a crime pursued with zero-tolerance zeal. Eliminating
the penalties associated with illicit drug abuse would encourage the
type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate rehabilitation and
save lives. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe,

MPA policy analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, DC, United States