ANOTHER SAD CHAPTER IN WAR AGAINST DRUGS

Unbelievable is all I could think when I read the first paragraph of the
Nov. 19 story headlined: "Agencies calling for task force to curb narcotics."

A town of 2000 residents needs a "special multi-jurisdictional task force"
to curb the onslaught of drugs? But hey, that's par for the course in the
so-called drug war.

Next they will seek special vehicles. Then it will be SWAT team military
gear, automatic weapons and jet helicopters. Then they will ask for funds
to build a bigger jail(s). They will keep telling taxpayers that they need
more and more and more.

About midyear, they will issue press releases as to how many people they
are arresting and how many drugs they are seizing. Then at the beginning of
next year, they will tell you how they need more money because the problem
is "bigger than ever".

And so it goes. A million here, a million there - pretty soon you're
talking real money. Education and social service budgets be damned. It's
just another sordid chapter - all at taxpayer expense - in the literally
never-ending war against Americans, formerly known as the war against drugs.

Stephen Heath

Clearwater, Fla.