THE 'POT DOCS' CONTROVERSY

The excellent article about "pot docs" reveals Atty. Gen. John
Ashcroft's mean-spirited attitude trickling down to our medical care.
The war on drugs is a total failure; we should surrender and make
better use of our time and resources. The war on drugs drains our
economy of billions a year and has done little to reduce drug use.
Treatment of drug abusers is more effective and much less costly than
maintenance as a prison inmate. Cutting back on our current methods of
fighting drug use would free up money and personnel for
counter-terrorism efforts.

The current harassment of doctors who advocate medical use of
marijuana shows lack of compassion by the conservatives now in power.

We need them to change their course and use methods that are both
sensible and effective.

Carl Swallow

Manhattan Beach