REALISTIC ALTERNATIVES IN THE DRUG WAR

The president of Drug-Free Kids: America's Challenge misses the point
of the drug-policy debate ("Working toward a drug-free America,"
Letters, Thursday).

The real challenge facing our nation is to assess openly and honestly
the degree to which "zero tolerance" and its associated laws have
contained the drug problem over the course of many decades. If, as
seems likely, it is shown that in our country there are more drugs at
greater purity and lower cost than ever before, it would be
irresponsible not to consider alternatives. To ignore reality and
applaud more of the same does a great disservice to all Americans and
perhaps especially to our children.

Dr. Robert Newman

Director Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute Beth
Israel Medical Center New York.