PROHIBITION IS DESTROYING U.S.

Regarding the article, "Helfrich shows no mercy for dealer" (Dec. 20,
1A), no mercy for this crack dealer, eh?

What's tragic about this is that you can find sentences that were
handed down over 70 years ago during alcohol prohibition for
production and distribution of alcohol.

Prohibition is once again destroying this country. Many Americans are
just sitting idly by letting it all happen.

We cannot possibly think that criminal sanctions will nullify the
basic economic principles of supply and demand.

Now another soul will die in prison because our prohibitionist laws
made cocaine, a derivative of a naturally growing plant, worth its
weight in gold.

We must end this insanity soon. We can't afford to let another
generation suffer cuts to education budgets while we increase prison
and drug task-force budgets.

Enough is enough.

Scott Russ, Baton Rouge, La.