FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON DRUGS IS WELCOME

I am deeply impressed by Rich Figel's "Addicted to Life" column last
Sunday ("History lesson: Prohibition didn't work then, and its killing
us now"). His common-sense view of drug use is a refreshing break from
the distorted perspectives that we often get from the media, our
politicians and some in law enforcement who built their careers by
persecuting the war on drugs.

Figel disarmingly presents uncomfortable truths such as 1. prohibition
doesn't work, 2. most people can drink or take drugs without becoming
addicted, and 3. some veteran police offices quietly acknowledge that
legalizing and regulating drugs would reduce violent crime and save
tax dollars.

I applaud Figel's call for an islandwide discussion about how to
realistically deal with our drug problem and look forward to his
future articles.

JEFF CRAWFORD

Consulting psychologist

Executive Assessment & Development

Honolulu