DRUGS AND BORDERS

Regarding the report "Canada splits with U.S. on drugs" (May 20):

In all fairness, while Canada has been criticized by the United States for
legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, America has been criticized for
its discredited, zero tolerance, draconian drug policies and its associated
use of the prison system.

I don't condone injecting drugs, but Canada's safe injection sites must be a
more humane way of dealing with drug use than anything America is doing.
Locking up drug addicts to forget about them is reminiscent of America's
prohibition era. It doesn't work.

It is peculiar that John Walters, the US. drug control policy director, has
said the United States might be forced to increase border security. I would
have thought after Sept. 11 the tightening of the borders would not have
left any room for improvement.

Stan White

Dillon, Colorado