AGREED WITH EDITORIAL...

Editor:

Scott Perry's Feb. 5th editorial was right on target.

Like alcohol prohibition in the 1920's, the drug war fuels organized crime
and violence, which is then used to justify increased drug war spending.
It's time to end this madness and instead treat all substance abuse, legal
or otherwise, as the public health problem it is.

Drug policy should focus not on reducing the total number of people who use
drugs, but rather on reducing the death, disease, crime and suffering
associated with both drug use and prohibition.

At present, drug users are reluctant to seek medical attention in the event
of an overdose. Attempting to save the life of a friend could result in a
murder charge. Eliminating the stigma and penalties associated with drug
use would facilitate rehabilitation and save lives.

I think its safe to say that turnout at alcoholics anonymous meetings would
be rather low if alcoholism were a crime pursued with zero tolerance zeal.
Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A., Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, DC