TIME TO END THE DRUG WAR

When it comes to the drug war, mandatory minimum sentences have done little
other than turn the alleged land of the free into the world's biggest
jailer. If draconian penalties deterred illegal drug use, the goal of a
"drug-free" America would have been achieved decades ago. Instead of adding
to what is already the highest incarceration rate in the world, we should
be funding drug treatment.

The drug war is a cure that is worse than the disease. Drug prohibition
finances organized crime at home and terrorism abroad. It's time to end
this madness and instead treat all substance abuse as the public health
problem it is. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe

Arlington, VA