WAR ON DRUGS, NOT DRUGS, IS WHAT CAUSES CRIME

Re: "At the End of the Line - There are hidden costs of recreational
drug use," Sunday Editorials.

The problem isn't the drugs but the war on specific drugs; your list
reflects your bias and little else. Marijuana is at the top of the
illegal list and has never killed anyone, is non-addictive and has
legitimate medical applications.

Practically every person in this country buys, sells or uses some
kind of drug, legal or otherwise. We self-medicate for a variety of
reasons - some for health and others just for recreation. But using
drugs for any purpose carries risks. Just listen to the side effects
listed by prescription commercials.

If you really want to cripple street gangs and drug cartels, take
away their main source of income. Stop putting people in prison for
buying or selling drugs. Criminal organizations are funded solely by
the war on drugs, not the drugs themselves.

Gene Johnson, Dallas