THE DRUG WAR IS WORKING FINE

To the editor:

Your editorial ("Nothing to show: U.S. anti-drug policy fails in
Colombia," April 12) demonstrates a lack of knowledge regarding drug
abuse and addiction, and the success that we have achieved in dealing
with this social problem.

You claim the U.S. has wasted billions of dollars in its anti-drug
efforts, but for those people who have been saved from drug addiction,
this is hardly wasted money.

Our fight against drug abuse and addiction is an ongoing struggle and
should be treated like any other social problem. No one is advocating
the legalization of child abuse because we have not been able to
eliminate it; nor should we legalize drugs.

Each year, Americans die from illegal drugs at the rate of more than
seven times the number killed on Sept. 11, 2001. In 2000, drug abuse
cost the American society an estimated $160 billion. More important
were the concrete losses imperfectly symbolized by those billions of
dollars: The destruction of lives, the damage of addiction, fatalities
from car accidents, illness and lost opportunities and dreams.

In the last four years, the strategic attack mounted by DEA against
drug networks has resulted in the denial of profit and proceeds from
drug sales, the arrest of some of the world's most violent criminals,
the dismantling of numerous trafficking organizations, the removal of
illicit narcotics from the available drug supply, and an awareness of
the dangers of drug abuse and addiction.

We know we will never be able to arrest our way out of the drug
problem, but we must continue to combine strong law enforcement with
education and treatment. Compared to the social costs of drug abuse
and addiction -- whether in taxpayer dollars or in pain and suffering -
government spending on drug control is minimal.

Will R. Glaspy

Special Agent

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

McAllen District Office