SHARING THE BLAME FOR CROWDED PRISONS

Mr. Jim Horning writes that he and his fellow officers are not responsible
for the ever-increasing inmate population. How galling.

Every time there has been a ballot initiative to stop treating drug abuse
as a criminal matter, police and corrections officers (and their unions)
outdo each other in a rush to condemn it.

They use scare tactics and dire warnings instead of medical evidence and
real-world examples. Confusion is their goal, because sensible
consideration of drug laws would end their decades-long industry boom.

You will have a perfect opportunity to observe for yourself when NORML and
other organizations target Wisconsin for a 2004 initiative. Polls claim
that 80 percent of Wisconsinites support medical marijuana laws.

Doctors should be deciding our drug policies, not politicians or police
officers. They are as dependent on the drug war as the criminals, and no
amount of fancy pontificating can ever change that.

So keep a close eye on Mr. Horning and his "innocent" co-workers next year,
and remember, "it's not their fault." Also remember that your tax dollars
fund their efforts.

Jason N. Hunter

Pittsburgh, Pa.