DRUG TRADE: JUST SAY NO TO TERRORISM

Here in the United States, we tend to blame our drug problems on those
who provide the drugs. However, the average Colombian abhors what the
drug trade has done to his country.

Terrorist groups that now control the drug trade in Colombia have
terrorized the peaceful countryside for more than 40 years. Weary of
the mayhem, many in Colombia blame user nations for funding these
groups through their huge purchases of drugs. They have a valid point:
There could be no drug sales without a ready market.

What happened to our highly touted war on drugs? It seems to have been
pushed to a distant backburner by the war on terrorism. Those here in
the United States need to realize that the drugs coming into this
country are manufactured, distributed and sold by terrorists who
operate in our own back yard.

I have always been vehemently opposed to the legalization of drugs.
However, without a truly active and effective war on drugs, it does
seem to be a viable alternative. It would at least stop the river of
dollars flowing to the terrorist network both inside and outside our
borders.

For America to be funding terrorist groups through drug purchases is
definitely not acceptable.

JOHN ANDERSON

JWESAND@peoplepc.com