HALL'S DRUG WAR COLUMN ON TARGET

To The Editor:

Community columnist Sparky Hall was right on target in his outstanding
column "War on Drugs Targets the Wrong People" (Dec. 12). I'd like to add
that the counterproductive war on drugs continues because many people,
organizations and industries with political power and influence have a
vested financial interest in its continuation.

When our grandfathers ended alcohol prohibition, it was not because they
decided that alcohol was not so bad, but because of the crime and corruption
that prohibition caused.

Also, most of the people alive during our alcohol prohibition era were alive
prior to prohibition so they knew that prohibition made matters worse --
much worse. So they put an end to the counterproductive policy.

Very few people are alive today when there was no such thing as drug
prohibition. So we are vulnerable to the warnings of dire consequences from
those with vested interest in continuing the counterproductive policy. So
the counterproductive policy continues.

Kirk Muse
Mesa, Ariz.