IN A PERFECT WORLD

In a perfect world, no one would use drugs and that includes alcohol,
tobacco and valium. ("Don't let nation go to pot," Janet Jackson, Nov.
30.) Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world and people are going
to use drugs, even if they are illegal. The U.S. war on drugs has been
reasonably successful at shutting down domestic marijuana operations.

On the other hand, there is a staggering increase in the use of
crystal meth, because its manufacturing facilities are harder to
detect. Jackson's assertion, that there is a major crime problem in
Holland because of their lenient policy towards soft drug use is
preposterous. If I had the choice of a stroll after dark in the core
of Amsterdam, or the core of any U.S. city, the safe choice would be
Amsterdam.

Ron Walker

(Neither is ideal.)